Red Bull criticised for axing Sergio Perez as second driver troubles persist in 2025

F1 steward Derek Warwick believes Red Bull’s second driver problem shows it was a mistake in axing Sergio Perez.

Perez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of the 2024 F1 season following a difficult campaign.

Liam Lawson replaced the Mexican for the start of this season.

However, with Lawson languishing well behind Max Verstappen, Red Bull decided to replace the Kiwi after just two races.

While Yuki Tsunoda has proven to be an upgrade on Lawson, he’s struggled to adapt to the RB21.

Tsunoda’s best grand prix finish since joining Red Bull is ninth in Bahrain, while Verstappen has won two races since the Japanese driver’s promotion.

Speaking to Plejmo, Warwick explained why Lawson and Tsunoda’s poor performances show that Perez was doing a better job “than we gave him credit for”.

“I think Red Bull needs to try and find a way of making that second car fast, because quite clearly driving the same car as Max does not work,” Warwick said.

“They put every driver through there. We all know that Yuki’s quick, he’s had a disaster. 

“It almost shows that Perez was doing a better job than we gave him credit for. I think they need to say, I think they need to come out now and say, Yuki’s in it for the season.

“You don’t keep on saying we’re looking at other drivers and all that sort of stuff, because all that does is put pressure on their driver.

“And instead of driving with soft hands and a soft steering wheel, he ends up trying too hard, braking too late. I think they need to give that second driver, whoever it is, confidence that he’s in for the season.

“No question, I don’t care if he crashes every race, I don’t care if he’s lost every race, he’s in for the season.

“Was it a mistake letting Perez go? It looks like it.”

Will Sergio Perez return to the grid in 2026?

Perez has reportedly not given up on his F1 career despite spending this season on the sidelines.

The 35-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to the grid with Cadillac in 2026.

Cadillac will become F1’s 11th team next year - but the American outfit have yet to announce which drivers will drive their first car.

Perez is thought to be the favourite for one of the seats.

His wealth of experience and significant financial backing make him an attractive option.

Perez’s reputation has only improved since his exit from F1, particularly given Red Bull’s second driver troubles.

Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher have also been linked.