Doubts Arise Over Mercedes' 2025 F1 Championship Ambitions Due to End-of-Season Performance Concerns

The potential for Mercedes to secure the F1 championship in 2025 has come under scrutiny.

Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer is doubtful that Mercedes will be in the running for the championship in 2025.

In 2024, Mercedes experienced their most challenging season in more than ten years, securing fourth place in the Formula 1 Constructors' Championship.

Mercedes managed to secure four wins, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton each claiming two, but their performance was highly erratic.

Since the new regulations were implemented in 2022, Mercedes has struggled to consistently perform at the top level in Formula 1, unable to fully understand the necessary elements for maintaining speed.

Jolyon Palmer, who competed with the Renault team during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, is skeptical about Mercedes improving their performance by 2025

According to Palmer on the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast, Las Vegas was the location where their car performed exceptionally well. However, he noted that Vegas is an unusual track with unique conditions not found elsewhere.

"Even Qatar experienced cooler temperatures the following week. Although it wasn't as cold as it gets in Las Vegas, the conditions were quite different."

"Each year brought its own surprises. The year 2022 was particularly puzzling. The team performed impressively towards the end, with Russell securing a victory in Brazil. This led to the expectation that they had figured things out for 2023. However, 2023 was equally perplexing. Once again, the team gained momentum, with Hamilton showing strong performances towards the season's conclusion, notably in Austin, and ultimately securing third place in the championship standings."

"You might have assumed that 2024 would be their breakthrough year. However, 2024 has turned out to be quite puzzling. Then, towards the end of the year in Vegas, Hamilton and Russell suddenly perform impressively. This makes you think that 2025 might be their year. You understand what I mean. I'm not entirely convinced it will happen, but we'll have to wait and see."

A significant change is on the horizon for Mercedes in 2025, marking their first racing season without Hamilton since 2012.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a talented 18-year-old, is advancing from Formula 2, while Russell is expected to take on the role of the primary team leader at Mercedes.

As the regulations stay consistent throughout the winter, an exhilarating competition is anticipated at the forefront among McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

Mercedes is aiming to achieve the crucial consistency they need during the winter season to narrow the distance from the leading three teams.

In any case, they are placing their expectations on 2026 and the updated engine regulations.

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Davide Tardozzi criticizes Pecco Bagnaia sharply: "These competitors are outperforming you."

"It's not always possible to play nice. It simply isn't…"

Video unveiled in a recent three-episode series about MotoGP by Ducati showcases a notably intense exchange between Francesco Bagnaia and Davide Tardozzi.

The show, titled "Dream On: Ducati and Bagnaia’s Pursuit of Glory," aims to provide an insider’s perspective on the concluding races of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, centering on Bagnaia and his experiences within the Ducati Lenovo Team.

Potentially, the most crucial moment from the initial episode, released on Ducati's YouTube channel on December 15, emerges following the Sprint at the Thai Grand Prix.

Bagnaia, who began the race in pole position, found himself in third place after the first turn, having been overtaken by his championship competitor, Jorge Martin, on the inside during the approach to the first corner.

The Italian regained his spot ahead of Martin as they came out of the turn, yet the Spaniard managed to overtake him again as they shifted from turn six to turn seven further into the race, pushing Bagnaia down to third place.

The segment features a conversation inside Bagnaia's vehicle following the Sprint, attended by Bagnaia, his spouse, sibling, media representative, and the Ducati Lenovo Team's leader Davide Tardozzi.

"Martin really showed courage today," Tardozzi said to Bagnaia.

"The courage to take you down. […] His mind was made up about pestering you. He went ahead and did what was necessary."

"That's your task for tomorrow. You can't always play the nice guy. It's just not possible, especially when these guys are outperforming you."

"Martin singled you out right from the start, making up his mind to collide with you at the very first turn. It's clear there was no uncertainty in his intentions."

"You have to quit playing the nice guy; these fellows will rip you to shreds."

The following day, a last-minute choice to switch Bagnaia's main motorcycle to a rain-oriented configuration, a decision-making process depicted in the inaugural episode of Dream On, enabled him to recover from the Sprint's letdown and secure his first win in the top tier under rainy conditions during the Grand Prix.

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Adjustments Aprilia must implement for Jorge Martin to create significant MotoGP records

Securing a MotoGP championship is an achievement, yet Jorge Martin aims to do so after transitioning to a new team in 2025.

Jorge Martin's transition from Pramac Ducati to Aprilia offers the Spanish racer an uncommon chance to secure MotoGP championships with varied manufacturers.

Nonetheless, to achieve this, Aprilia, which secured the third spot in this year's constructors' rankings, must enhance its MotoGP offering.

"Jordan Moreland, the host of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, confirmed that it's a step back due to Ducati's dominance. However, during Martin's initial trial in Barcelona, despite not having direct quotes from him, it appeared they were quite satisfied overall."

"The focus is truly on advancing to the next level for Aprilia, as that's been their position for the past season and a half. There's been a significant difference in performance when comparing them with Ducati."

Crash.net's MotoGP chief, Peter McLaren, highlighted consistency as a key element in Martin's 2025 championship success, a trait Martin mastered in 2024, unlike Aprilia.

McLaren mentioned, "I believe it was [Massimo] Rivola who made the comment; they have to improve their overall performance, right?"

This year, they stood out as the sole manufacturer to outperform Ducati, marking a significant accomplishment. However, they concurrently fell back in the rankings, ending up behind KTM in the constructors’ standings.

"Aprilia's performance is a mixed bag, but they must improve on their average days to be contenders for the championship."

Securing the championship would position Martin as just the third competitor ever to secure the top-tier Grand Prix championship in consecutive years with different manufacturers, following in the footsteps of Valentino Rossi (2003–04) and Eddie Lawson (1988–89).

"Securing that achievement would be a huge deal for Martin," McLaren described.

"It appears that only Valentino Rossi and Eddie Lawson have achieved consecutive championships with different manufacturers, offering him an opportunity to significantly etch his name in history."

"Undoubtedly, he faces a significant challenge in accomplishing that, but the initial step is to achieve consistency."

"We witnessed Maverick's remarkable performances at COTA, where he secured victories, achieving an impressive double win that appeared to baffle even him regarding his exceptional success at that circuit, and yet, he never returned to the podium following those triumphs. It all boils down to consistency."

"Consistency may not be the most exciting term or concept, but it truly is the key to securing championships, especially in a season that spans over 40 races. This was clearly demonstrated this year when Martin, despite winning fewer Grand Prix races than Bagnaia, managed to come out on top."

A crucial element in attaining greater consistency will involve making more effective use of the 2024-spec Michelin rear tire, an aspect of the past season that only Ducati managed to fully capitalize on.

"Lewis Duncan, a journalist at Crash.net, pointed out that Aprilia's main focus with Martin […] should be to understand the ways in which the 2024 Ducati managed to optimize the performance of the 2024 Michelin rear tyre."

"The critical point for Aprilia, according to conversations with KTM and Aprilia riders, revolves around a bit of uncertainty. They believe that the issues they encountered this season were not present last season. As a result, it seems there's only one place to point the finger for this year's challenges—the introduction of the new rear tyre.

"The issue isn't with the quality of the rear tire. Rather, the latest rear tire offers significantly increased grip, a feature that only Ducati managed to fully exploit."

"After they uncovered its possibilities, no one else managed to do so."

It's understood that KTM faced significant issues with vibrations, which were probably connected to the rear tire, and Honda experienced similar troubles. Ducati also encountered this at the start, though there's little recollection of Aprilia riders reporting vibration problems. However, Aprilia had its own set of challenges, including problems with grip, traction, and rapid wear and tear during Grand Prix races.

The ability to quickly accelerate was present, and their speed in short races was satisfactory, but when it came to longer races, they faced difficulties.

Hearing Aleix Espargaro's comments in Malaysia, it was clear he was clueless. Aprilia's expectation from Martin, at the bare minimum, revolves around this notion — if they're banking on the 2024 rear tyre being a game-changer, then they have someone familiar with its effectiveness on a motorcycle that capitalized on it.

Nonetheless, although it's apparent what steps Aprilia must take leading up to the 2025 Thai Grand Prix in early March, accomplishing these will be made difficult due to staff changes at Noale during the winter season.

Marco Bezzecchi and Martin are not the only newcomers at the factory; Fabiano Sterlacchini has also joined as the new technical director, taking over from the outgoing Romano Albesiano.

Duncan stated, "Aprilia must undertake this with a fresh roster of riders and a new technical head, as Fabiano Sterlacchini has stepped in to fill the position previously held by [Romano] Albesiano."

"Sterlacchini parted ways with the KTM project in June, leaving behind a motorcycle [KTM RC16] that he struggled to optimize, particularly in maximizing the performance of the rear tire. They're facing a significant off-season, and the initial tests are poised to be quite revealing."

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Helmut Marko points out where Liam Lawson needs to improve before the 2025 F1 season. Helmut Marko evaluates Liam Lawson as he is expected to move up to Red Bull in 2025.

Helmut Marko has commended Liam Lawson for proving himself to be a "tenacious competitor" in Formula 1, yet he pointed out that Lawson must work on maintaining steadiness throughout the races.

Lawson is anticipated to join Red Bull as Max Verstappen's teammate for the Formula 1 season in 2025.

Although Lawson was consistently outperformed in qualifying by his Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda, with a record of 6-0, the two were frequently divided by a margin of under one-tenth of a

Lawson's ability to adjust and potential for growth, despite his limited experience in F1, have made him a strong candidate to compete for Red Bull in 2025.

Red Bull has not yet made a decision, as they continue to engage in "positive discussions" aimed at reaching an agreement with Sergio Perez.

Evaluating Lawson's performance in Formula 1 to this point, Marko admitted he is yet to determine if the New Zealander has the potential to be "a top driver."

"Liam has demonstrated that he's a formidable competitor, unafraid to challenge renowned drivers such as Alonso, Hamilton, and Perez," Marko mentioned during the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

"Now that he might have a complete season, he must prove that he can compete effectively once more. In terms of qualifying, he performed similarly to Yuki. We need to observe how much progress he makes to determine if he has the potential to become one of the top drivers."

"I would also mention that he consistently performs well in races and achieves top times regardless of the type of driver. Although there is still some variability in his performance, it's important to note that he hasn't participated in ten Grand Prix events yet. Gaining more experience will naturally help him improve."

The most challenging role in Formula 1 for Lawson

If Red Bull elevates Lawson to the position of Verstappen’s partner, he will face the most difficult role in Formula 1.

Since 2019, Verstappen's teammates have outperformed him in qualifying on just 11 occasions.

He outperformed Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, leading to both drivers eventually losing their positions.

Perez has spent four years with the team, and although he has outlasted those who came before him, his success can largely be attributed to the performance of the Red Bull car.

The Mexican team's lackluster performance in both 2021 and 2024 resulted in them missing the constructors' championship, even though Verstappen secured the drivers' title.

Lawson is set to take on the challenging task of approaching Verstappen, as McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are anticipated to exert significant pressure on Red Bull in the coming year.

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Giacomo Agostini offers his perspective on the competition between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi

"Their ages were different…"

Giacomo Agostini, who has clinched the World Championship title 15 times, shared his perspective on the competition between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.

In the annals of Grand Prix racing, Agostini stands out as the sole competitor with a higher number of race victories than Rossi. However, since Marquez entered the premier class in 2013, he outperformed the Italian in the championship standings every season except for two instances (2015, 2020), securing six championships in his initial seven seasons at the top level.

"Marc [Marquez] is the one who really gets to me," Agostini confessed to the Spanish outlet Relevo, "because I believe he brings a thrill to the audience, to those who attend the races. He's someone who really knows how to entertain, and he's adored by all."

"Agostini described Rossi as 'a legend',"

"A strategist on horseback. Achieving nine world championships signifies inherent skill."

Agostini attributes the lack of direct confrontations on the track between the two, particularly beyond the year 2015, to timing and Marquez's personal approach.

Nonetheless, it remains one of the fiercest competitions in MotoGP over the last decade.

"He mentioned that their ages were different," he explained. "One had begun their journey, while the other hadn't. This might have influenced the outcome, you see?"

"While I acknowledge that Rossi has sparked excitement […] Upon reflection, I personally find Marquez to be more impulsive, adventurous, and courageous.

"He embodies resilience, which might appeal more to the audience. Marc consistently shows determination, providing an absolute show."

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Lorenzo Savadori Secures Continued Position as Aprilia MotoGP Test Rider with Latest Contract Renewal

Aprilia has officially announced the renewal of Lorenzo Savadori's contract, maintaining his position as the MotoGP test rider for the team.

Lorenzo Savadori has extended his tenure as Aprilia's designated MotoGP test rider, securing a fresh contract with the Noale-based team for an additional two years.

Under the terms of the recent agreement, Savadori will continue in his position through to the close of 2026, marking his seventh consecutive year as a test rider and coinciding with the last year of the existing 1,000cc MotoGP rules.

"I'm thrilled to extend this journey and carry on with my efforts alongside Aprilia Racing for the coming two seasons," Savadori expressed.

"Over the past few years, our performance has been exceptional, and I am confident that we will keep getting better as time goes on."

"Our progress has been steady and incremental, guided by a singular focus that is always at the forefront of our thinking: elevating the RS-GP to the pinnacle of MotoGP competition."

Massimo Rivola, the CEO of Aprilia Racing, emphasized the critical role that Savadori will play as a test rider for the team, especially this year when Aprilia introduces two new racers: Marco Bezzecchi and the current MotoGP World Champion, Jorge Martin. Furthermore, Rivola confirmed that Savadori is set to participate as a wildcard entry in select Grand Prix events in 2025.

"Rivola expressed delight in announcing that Aprilia Racing will maintain its collaboration with Lorenzo Savadori, who is a cornerstone of our initiative. His role, in conjunction with the test team, has significantly contributed to the remarkable progress made in recent years."

"Sava' symbolizes a sense of ongoing partnership for us, which is crucial when collaborating with a deeply trusted test rider, particularly in a significant year when the factory team will welcome two new members.

"He will also serve as a crucial asset at several Grand Prix events, where his role as a wild card will allow for the exploration of innovative approaches."

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Augusto Fernandez has inked a contract until 2025, following his departure from KTM's MotoGP team, to become a test rider for Yamaha's MotoGP endeavor.

Augusto Fernandez is set to join the Yamaha MotoGP team in the role of a test rider, as officially announced.

After concluding his two-season tenure in MotoGP at the end of the 2024 season, Fernandez, who was released by KTM and the Tech3 squad, is set to team up with Cal Crutchlow in Yamaha's primary MotoGP testing crew.

In his initial two seasons competing in MotoGP, the Spanish rider's top performance was securing a fourth-place finish at the 2023 French Grand Prix. Transitioning to KTM's carbon frame in 2024 did not facilitate progress from his first year at the top tier for the Spaniard. However, due to Yamaha’s present concessions status, he is eligible to participate in as many as six wildcard races in 2025.

"Fernandez expressed his joy and immense enthusiasm about becoming a test rider for Yamaha in 2025."

"I'm immensely grateful to join the Yamaha team, and I extend my thanks to all those who played a role in making this possible."

"In this incredible new initiative, I am committed to assisting Yamaha in regaining their rightful position."

Lin Jarvis, the Managing Director at Yamaha Racing, elaborated that in the event of an injury sidelining one of their four racers in 2025, Fernandez will be the go-to substitute rider. Furthermore, it was hinted that Fernandez is slated to participate in all six of Yamaha's wildcard races.

"Yamaha is focused on advancing our bike technology as we strive to quickly get back to a winning position," stated Jarvis.

"We've officially brought Augusto on board as an additional Yamaha Test Rider, joining forces with Cal Crutchlow. Due to Cal's inability to meet all his testing responsibilities in 2024, it became clear that we required another rider to help us carry out all vital tasks for 2025."

"Our team is confident that Augusto will seamlessly integrate with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team as well as adapt well to the YZR-M1 motorcycle. Being young and quick, he has the opportunity to work closely with Cal and pick up the unique techniques needed for a dedicated test rider."

Our present performance status enables us to fully utilize the upper cap of the testing program. Beyond these tests, we plan to engage in as many as six wild-card entries. Moreover, Augusto will serve as the primary substitute rider for any members of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team or the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team who might be unavailable to compete at any point during 2025.

The numerous chances to ride should enable Augusto to keep up his pace in racing as he continues with his demanding testing commitments.

"Augusto has already begun collaborating with our team behind the scenes, and his initial genuine trial will occur during the shakedown test in Sepang, scheduled for the end of January 2025."

"Currently, we are closely monitoring Cal's recovery process regarding his arm problems encountered this year, with the expectation that he can swiftly come back to continue with his testing responsibilities."

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KTM terminates former racing star from testing position

Jeremy McWilliams has been removed from his longstanding position as a test rider for KTM.

Ex-Grand Prix competitor Jeremy McWilliams has allegedly been let go from his position as a test rider for KTM, a job he has maintained for a decade and a half.

McWilliams, famously recognized for securing the last pole position on a 500cc motorcycle during the premier class at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix, has held a position at KTM since 2009.

As reported by Speedweek, a German news outlet, McWilliams' contract with KTM, initially set to expire at the end of 2025, has been abruptly ended due to KTM facing financial difficulties. This brings to a close a 15-year partnership between the Mattighofen-based company and the rider from Belfast.

Serving as a test rider for KTM, McWilliams has primarily engaged in testing production models. However, he also played a part in the initial development phase of the RC16.

Lately, McWilliams has played a key role in creating the latest sports model from the Austrian company, the RC 990. This bike is KTM's contender in the Supersport categories, aiming to compete with major models such as the Ducati Panigale V2, Kawasaki ZX-6R, and Yamaha R9.

Prior to joining KTM, McWilliams was part of the BMW S1000RR initiative, where he contributed to the early development stages of the motorcycle. This bike, particularly in its latest M Power version, has since claimed victory in the World Superbike Championship with Toprak Razgatlioglu at the helm.

Recently, the racer from Northern Ireland has also shown strong performance in various competitions. He secured a podium finish in the second Supertwin race at this year's North West 200. Additionally, as a factory rider for Indian in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series, which features high-displacement touring motorcycles, he has been in contention for wins.

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KTM cuts ties with renowned former racer as a test rider

Jeremy McWilliams has been removed from his longstanding position as a test rider for KTM.

Ex-Grand Prix competitor Jeremy McWilliams is said to have been removed from his position as a test rider for KTM, a post he has maintained for a decade and a half.

McWilliams, who is famously recognized for securing the last pole position on a 500cc motorcycle in the top tier at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix, has held a position at KTM since 2009.

As reported by Speedweek, a publication based in Germany, the agreement between McWilliams and KTM, which was expected to continue until the close of 2025, has been abruptly canceled due to the financial difficulties faced by KTM. This decision puts an end to a 15-year partnership between the Mattighofen-based company and the rider from Belfast.

As a test rider for KTM, McWilliams has primarily focused on testing production models. However, he was also called upon during the initial development phase of the RC16.

Lately, McWilliams has played a significant role in creating the latest sports model from the Austrian brand, the RC 990. This model is KTM's contender in the Supersport categories, competing with top models such as the Ducati Panigale V2, Kawasaki ZX-6R, and Yamaha R9.

Prior to his engagement with KTM, McWilliams played a role in the development of the BMW S1000RR project, a time when the German brand was crafting the initial versions of the motorcycle. This model, especially in its recent M Power version, has since clinched the World Superbike Championship title with Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Recently, the racer from Northern Ireland has been performing exceptionally well in competitions. He secured a podium finish in this year's North West 200's second Supertwin race, and as a factory rider for Indian in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers class, which features large-displacement touring motorcycles, he has been in contention for wins.

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"Potential Escape Clause Could Pave the Way for Alex Albon's Red Bull Return

Rumors suggest that a contractual 'get-out clause' might allow Alex Albon to leave Williams and rejoin Red Bull."

It has been reported that Alex Albon's contract with Williams includes a provision allowing him to leave and rejoin Red Bull.

Sky Sports F1's pitlane correspondent, Ted Kravitz, shared the details in the most recent episode of the network's podcast.

At the conclusion of the 2020 season, Red Bull decided to part ways with Albon due to his inability to keep up with Max Verstappen's level of performance. Sergio Perez stepped in to fill the position, but it now appears that he may be at risk of losing his spot for the 2025 season

Following a year serving as Red Bull's backup driver, Albon earned a permanent spot with Williams for the 2022 season and has successfully restored his standing in the racing world over the last three years.

Liam Lawson, who stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull for the last six races of the 2024 season, is anticipated to succeed Perez in his position at the team.

However, Kravitz argues that this choice is not the right one and thinks Albon would be a more suitable option.

Reporter Kravitz expressed the view that Alex Albon, surprisingly, could be a key figure. He suggested that it wouldn't have required much persuasion from the engineering side to move Albon away from Williams.

"Williams had the option to include Franco Colapinto and Carlos Sainz in their lineup, which would have been ideal. Additionally, having Alex Albon would have provided a familiar benchmark to compare with Max Verstappen."

"Albon has gained more experience and maturity, allowing him to effectively manage interactions with Max and navigate the entire scenario. It's unclear why this hasn't been addressed."

Earlier this year, Albon finalized a contract extension with Williams that spans multiple years.

Kravitz mentioned that, to his knowledge, there is a provision in Albon's contract with Williams that would permit him to exit the team if Red Bull expresses interest in re-signing him.

Perez's departure is confirmed

Kravitz asserts that the choice to replace Perez for the upcoming season was finalized during the Qatar Grand Prix, which is the second-to-last race of the season.

Perez's disappointing showings last season contributed to Red Bull falling to third place in the constructors' championship, trailing McLaren and Ferrari.

According to Kravitz, the situation became completely evident to him following the race in Qatar. He mentioned that Christian Horner presented the constructors’ championship rankings on a sheet of paper during his press conference with journalists after the race.

"Every Sunday evening after the race, you can easily figure out what's on Christian Horner's mind based on the document he carries to his press conference."

Following the race in Mexico, he analyzed the telemetry data of Lando and Max, explaining which specific corners were involved and why he believed the two ten-second penalties given to Max were too severe.

Without any prompting, he suddenly mentions the constructors' standings, highlighting all the points that Sergio Perez failed to secure for the team.

"Considering the points Max has accumulated, this constructors' trophy rightfully belongs to Red Bull. However, due to Sergio Perez's performance, it isn't."

Christian Horner brought the constructors’ standings to Qatar, which led to the decision being made around that time. Since then, the focus has been on terminating the contract and settling the payment.

"We note that he hasn't done it, but he has departed from the team. Now, it’s just about managing the situation."

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Lewis frequently travels to various Grand Prix events globally for Crash.net. By providing on-the-ground coverage, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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Explanation of Formula E's 'fan boost'

The series is introducing a feature where viewers can select three drivers to receive an extra surge of speed during FIA Formula E competitions, enhancing fan engagement in the event.

Named 'FanBoost', this system allows spectators to cast a vote or multiple votes for their favorite racers in each competition. The top three drivers with the highest number of votes will gain a power boost, elevating their performance from 133kw (180bhp) to 200kw (270bhp), specifically designed to enhance their overtaking capabilities.

Designed to empower fans to have more influence over the race and support their preferred drivers, individuals can cast their votes through the official Formula E website (receiving one vote) and through the upcoming app (which allows for five votes).

The period for casting votes commences immediately after the conclusion of one race and extends all the way to the beginning of the next designated race, at which point the leading three drivers are revealed.

FanBoost represents one of many innovative features introduced in the upcoming all-electric Formula E series, set to begin on September 13th in Beijing. This series distinguishes itself with a one-day race schedule, races predominantly located in urban centers, and an extensive entertainment program aimed at enhancing the race experience.

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Helmut Marko provides an update about the decision on the Red Bull seat, stating, "Negotiations are progressing positively." He noted that it was the initial occasion for shareholder involvement, yet reiterated that discussions are moving forward in a positive direction.

Helmut Marko has disclosed that "constructive discussions are underway" as Red Bull considers a possible alteration to their Formula 1 driver roster for the year 2025.

It is anticipated that Red Bull will swap out Sergio Perez for Liam Lawson in the Formula 1 season of 2025.

Despite Perez's contract with the team running through the end of 2025, discussions are underway to decide if the Mexican driver will transition to a role as an ambassador or receive a buyout.

According to Marko's column in Speedweek, an announcement regarding the decision is anticipated before the Christmas holiday.

During a recent episode of the Inside Line Podcast, Marko provided the latest information.

"The talks are still in progress. I’m confident that a resolution and a statement will be made this week," he stated.

"You're correct; it's a complicated situation. This marks the first occasion that shareholders have been part of the process. However, as mentioned, there are constructive discussions taking place."

"Please be patient. I think a decision will be made and announced this week."

Will Lawson Replace Tsunoda?

It seems likely that Red Bull will choose Lawson to team up with Max Verstappen, rather than continuing with Tsunoda.

In 2024, Tsunoda consistently outperformed Lawson in qualifying sessions, achieving a 6-0 record. Despite this, the difference in their times was frequently less than one-tenth

Lawson's quick adjustment to the Formula 1 environment has caught the attention of F1 leaders, particularly due to his eagerness to compete against drivers like Fernando Alonso.

Since Pierre Gasly left at the close of 2022, Tsunoda has excelled, surpassing Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, and Nyck de Vries in performance.

The Japanese racer stated that Red Bull was pleased with his technical insights during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

Despite his impressive performance and an encouraging test result, it appears he hasn’t secured a spot on the main team.

Tsunoda is expected to continue for a fifth year with Red Bull, probably teaming up with Formula 2 second-place finisher Isack Hadjar.

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Connor, known for his keen insight into the controversies and narratives within Formula 1, serves as the core of our fair and impartial reporting.

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