The mood at Red Bull is red hot. The Austrian team is facing an unprecedented crisis due to Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez’s refusal to renew his contract, the elimination of Liam Lawson as a possible starting driver, and rumors of a growing Mercedes bid to stop Max Verstappen. This has sparked a backlash from Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, who now face internal turmoil as they seek urgent solutions to maintain the team’s stability.

Checo Perez says ‘no’ to Red Bull and destroys the chaos

Sergio Pérez, the Mexican driver who has been a key figure in the Red Bull arena in recent years, has decided not to renew his contract with the team. Although negotiations are underway, sources close to the team have revealed that Pérez is seriously considering other options outside of the team, including the possibility of acquiring another competitive team or even retiring from F1 without receiving an offer that guarantees him a leading role.

The news took Red Bull management by surprise, particularly Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, who had been counting on Pérez’s continued presence to ensure stability at the team. However, the Mexican’s dissatisfaction with the treatment he received and his desire to no longer be seen as a “second best driver” were key factors in his decision to decline the contract renewal.

Liam Lawson out of the equation: Red Bull has run out of options

As if the situation with Checo wasn’t complicated enough, Red Bull has also decided not to promote Liam Lawson full-time. The young New Zealander, who has performed impressively when given the opportunity to race in F1, will not be part of the team’s plans for 2025, leaving many fans surprised and questioning management’s decisions.

The move suggests Red Bull may be looking for a more experienced driver to fill the seat vacated by Perez, with names like Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso circulating in the paddock. However, the lack of clarity over the team’s strategy only fuels uncertainty.

Mercedes hunt: Verstappen in Toto Wolff’s sights

Amid Red Bull’s internal chaos, an external threat has emerged in the form of Mercedes. The German team, which is seeking a replacement for Lewis Hamilton following his potential retirement or departure, has set its sights on Max Verstappen. According to sources close to the paddock, Toto Wolff has contacted the three-time world champion’s entourage to explore the possibility of signing him and giving him the top driver’s seat at the Silver Star team.

While Verstappen has repeatedly expressed his loyalty to Red Bull, recent tensions within the team and the possible departure of Pérez could influence his decision. Furthermore, the fact that Adrian Newey, the genius behind the design of the Red Bull car, is also considering his departure could be another factor that would prompt Verstappen to seriously consider Mercedes’ offer.

Horner and Marko’s reaction: Despair at Red Bull

The combination of these factors has triggered an explosive reaction within Red Bull. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are in crisis mode, trying to find quick solutions to prevent the team from collapsing. According to reports from the paddock, tensions have risen between the management, with disagreements over strategy and how to handle the situation.

Horner is pushing to remain calm and try to convince Perez to stay, while Marko is actively exploring options in the driver market to prevent the Mexican’s departure from affecting the team’s performance. At the same time, both men are concerned about Mercedes’ overtures to Verstappen, which could be the final blow to their F1 dominance.

An uncertain future for Red Bull

Checo Pérez’s defeat, Lawson’s dismissal, and Mercedes’ resignation have been blamed on Red Bull for one of its biggest crises in recent years. But the team remains even stronger in the fight, and internal conflicts and future decisions could determine whether it continues to dominate F1 or is on the brink of desperate decline.

With the season in full swing and the driver market in turmoil, the next few months will be crucial in determining the fate of Red Bull and its key players. The only thing is, tensions are at their highest, and any move could change the pace of F1 in the coming years.