Jos Verstappen says he’s not opposed to Liam Lawson
replacing Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen needs a team-mate who is “competitive
and pushes” him.
Despite Perez signing a new deal in June this year, a
one-year contract with an option for a second, his future has been thrown into
doubt as his failure to score big points has cost Red Bull in the
Constructors’ Championship.
Jos Verstappen is impressed with what he’s seen from Liam
Lawson
Nearing the end of a season in which their rivals have
closed the gap on the track, Red Bull have come up short against the two-car
scoring teams of McLaren and Ferrari.
McLaren seized control of the Constructors’ Championship in
Baku with Ferrari up into second in Mexico while Red Bull lag 49 points off the
pace.
Even Max Verstappen’s victory in the Brazilian Grand
Prix, his first Grand Prix win in 11 race weekends, didn’t change the outlook
as Perez scored a single point on a weekend in which 34 were up for grabs.
It’s led to growing speculation that his days at Red Bull
are numbered.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko says the team
will decide after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Liam Lawson
billed as the favourite replace Perez.
“Checo has a contract for next year, but we are
evaluating the whole situation. After Abu Dhabi we will know all the facts and
we will make our decision,” Marko said.
Lawson is halfway through his six-race audition and has
already scored four points in the VCARB. In that same period, Perez scored
seven in the Red Bull.
Jos Verstappen, Red Bull’s star driver’s father, wouldn’t
object to Lawson partnering the triple World Champion next season.
“I think Lawson is doing very well,” Verstappen told Viaplay.
“It seems logical to me that he is ready to step up. Let him
finish this season and build confidence and then the team has to decide what
they do for next year.
“I certainly don’t oppose that [Lawson replacing Perez].
It’s better if there is someone who is competitive and pushes Max forward a
bit. That always helps, but we’ll see.”
However, Red Bull face a conundrum in that as Lawson has
already made it clear on the track and with his words that he’s not a wingman.
“Obviously, my goal is not to go out and make enemies of
anybody, I’m not trying to cause any issues or anything like that,” Lawson said
after clashing with Perez at the Mexican Grand Prix.
“But at the same time, I’m not here to make friends, I’m
here to win, and that’s what I’m focused on doing.”
The 10-time race winner has insisted that he is satisfied with his performances this year, claiming the uncompetitive C44 has placed a limit on what has been achievable.
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