FIA steward urges Red Bull to ditch Liam Lawson for Franco Colapinto as Sergio Perez’s replacement
Johnny Herbert claimed that replacing Sergio Perez with Franco Colapinto was a better option than Liam Lawson in the coming season.
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Liam Lawson (via Red Bull), Franco Colapinto (via F1), Sergio Perez (in circle, via IMAGO)
Sergio Perez‘s disastrous performances during the 2024 season have opened up talks of firing the Mexican from Red Bull. Despite scoring a two-year contract extension, Perez runs a high risk of being replaced by Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda. Moreover, Franco Colapinto‘s impressive debut with Williams mid-way through the 2024 season has also caught the attention of Milton Keynes for a potential seat.
Christian Horner was spotted at Williams’ hospitality amidst rumors of poaching Franco Colapinto under the Red Bull family in 2025. However, the Grove-based constructor demanded an enormous compensation fee to release Colapinto. Amidst the ongoing tussle, FIA steward and Ex-F1 driver Johnny Herbert placed the Argentinian over Liam Lawson as a potential candidate for Red Bull.
Johnny Herbert initially pointed out the ‘chatter’ of Sergio Perez being replaced in the coming season. Upon this, Herbert questioned whether Franco Colapinto could bring in investments from Argentina as Perez did from Mexico. However, despite the financial backing, the Englishman highlighted that everyone in the paddock wanted the 21-year-old to get the Red Bull seat over Lawson.
There has been chatter about Sergio Perez being replaced, what Sergio brings to the team in terms of sponsorship and whether Colapinto could do the same with his Argentine sponsors and that would work out, when you listen to what you hear in the paddock, Colapinto is the one who needs to get the chance.
Johnny Herbert told Vision4Sport
Johnny Herbert evaluates the ‘massive market’ for Formula 1 in South America
Franco Colapinto’s race in the Mexican GP and Brazilian GP put forth massive backing for the Argentinian driver as multiple flights to the country were fully booked. Hence, Johnny Herbert pointed out the massive market available in South America for Formula 1. As a result, the Englishman claimed that Colapinto’s presence might make racing in Argentina possible.
F1 hasn’t been to Argentina since the 1990s and a race back there would be something that would be huge and something that Colapinto’s presence in the sport could help that happen, South America is a massive market.
Johnny Herbert added
Perez only has three more races to prove himself and remain at Red Bull for the coming seasons. The Mexican’s failing performances have caused Milton Keynes to lose the constructors’ championship lead. Hence, the 34-year-old must improve his pace or face an extremely dire situation by the coming season.
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Aditya Pandya
(1492 Articles Published)