Big day for Lawson: is he faster than Perez during RB20 test?

Ricciardo as an example

No, Christian Horner did not decide because of Perez's poor form to give Lawson a chance during a filming day in the RB20. At Silverstone, the team boss told this website, among others: "Liam's aero test has already been planned several months ago." Whether Horner is telling the truth here, or only half a truth: the New Zealander's lap times will undoubtedly be studied in detail.

It was the same with Daniel Ricciardo last year. Red Bull's then-third driver was allowed - also then at Silverstone - to show what he was capable of. Ricciardo stepped into the RB19 and, according to Red Bull, was then almost as fast as Max Verstappen in the Grand Prix a few days earlier. It resulted in the dismissal of Nyck de Vries and a permanent seat for Ricciardo at AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB).

Perez under heavy pressure

Red Bull is surely going to look beyond aero data during the aero test. Because, Horner himself says, Perez needs to improve. "Checo is under pressure in Formula 1, that's normal. And if he doesn't perform, the pressure will be even greater. He is aware of it, he knows that." Since the Monaco Grand Prix (the last five races), the Mexican has accumulated only 11 points, including the sprint race at the Red Bull Ring. Red Bull's lead in the constructors' championship has shrunk visibly as a result.

A departure of Pérez should be a possibility, according to rumours. Red Bull may reportedly activate an exit clause in the summer break if the 34-year-old driver is not within 100 points of Max Verstappen in the world championship. That gap is now 137 points and Perez's chances of reducing that by 38 points in two races are slim. It is not said that Red Bull will send him away immediately, but Horner has put his driver on notice: he must do better in Hungary and Belgium.

Lawson is eager

With Lawson behind him, Red Bull has a competitive driver within its ranks. The 22-year-old was allowed to drive a total of five races for AlphaTauri from the Dutch Grand Prix onwards, after Daniel Ricciardo broke his metatarsal at Zandvoort. Lawson did so by no means without merit, even scoring points in Singapore in a mediocre car.

Nevertheless, Visa Cash App RB decided to stick with last year's duo for 2024: Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson missed out, but his chance now seems to be coming after all. Helmut Marko was recently told by the sister team's shareholders that the team should give more young talent another chance in the future. It was not said in so many words, but having Ricciardo driving for a training team is not, in their eyes, the way to go.

The chance of Lawson, who incidentally is not even sure of an F1 seat for 2025 yet either, may now come even sooner than thought. If the New Zealander impresses today, he may well be allowed to prove himself after the summer break. The big question, however, is with which team.

The scenarios.

- Perez is sent off, Ricciardo moves on to Red Bull and Lawson takes over Ricciardo's wheel at Visa Cash App. Although Ricciardo is a darling of Horner, he has shown less this season than Yuki Tsunoda (11 to 20 points in the World Cup).

- Perez is sent off and Yuki Tsunoda is promoted. Lawson becomes Ricciardo's teammate.

- Perez is sent off and Lawson immediately gets the chance at Max Verstappen's side. At Visa Cash App RB, nothing changes. Perhaps a gamble for Red Bull, but Ricciardo has shown few greatest things in the first half of the season.

- Perez is moved back to Visa Cash App RB, and Ricciardo is promoted. Lawson misses out (again).

- Perez stays where he is, Lawson has to be patient until at least 2025.

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy