Why a farewell to Perez makes sense in the musical chairs with Lawson and Colapinto

Perez's position as Max Verstappen's teammate has been under pressure for months. Reportedly, the Mexico debacle - where Perez finished last - was the moment Red Bull Racing had had enough. In Brazil, the veteran will still race - partly because it is impractical to allow a replacement to prepare optimally - but after Sunday, the end could be just around the corner for Perez as a Red Bull driver.

With barely three races to go after Brazil, one can think: Why now? The constructors' world title is lost anyway, and P2 does not seem attainable either. If a higher placing in this title race had been the goal, Red Bull should have replaced Perez earlier. Perez might as well walk through the exit door.

Red Bull is looking at the long-term

By opting for a driver change now, Red Bull will discover information about their potential replacements. First, there is Liam Lawson, who has impressed in the first couple of weeks since rejoining Visa Cash App RB. He is a fast driver who dares to duel with his rivals - even if it was Sergio Perez. In Mexico, Perez was annoyed that Lawson ruined his race - according to Perez - with improper defensive techniques. But this is precisely what Red Bull Racing looks for in a driver; someone who will stop at nothing and sometimes go slightly over the line.

By giving Lawson three races to drive for Red Bull, the team can better assess how the New Zealander thrives under the pressure of a top team alongside Verstappen. If the youngster passes his exam, he will be the prime candidate to continue competing for the top team in 2025. If Lawson shows he is not yet ready, he can continue to grow at VCARB.

Colapinto lurking in the background

The same goes for Yuki Tsunoda, but the Japanese driver does not seem like a serious candidate for Red Bull Racing. If Lawson (or Tsunoda) were to move on to Red Bull Racing, a spot at VCARB would obviously become vacant. That would give Isack Hadjar a prime opportunity to show that he is F1-worthy and deserves a place in one of the Red Bull teams in 2025, too.

And then there is someone lurking in the background. It is an open secret that Red Bull is impressed by Williams driver Franco Colapinto, who has no place in Formula 1 for 2025. There are whispers that Helmut Marko, mainly, is keen to attract Colapinto. By letting Perez go after Brazil and giving Lawson and Hadjar the chance, it can be seen whether it is actually necessary to acquire the Argentine from Williams for a hefty price tag. It should not be forgotten that Hadjar was well ahead of Colapinto in the F2 championship.

In any case, there are hardly any scenarios in which keeping Perez on for the last three races of the season is the best and most logical option. Red Bull probably realises that, too.