In a dramatic turn of events within the Formula 1 landscape, two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has criticized the current performance of drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, labeling them as "worse" than former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. This assessment comes on the heels of Perez's departure from the team at the end of the 2024 season, following a lackluster performance that ultimately led to his replacement.
After four seasons with Red Bull, Perez was replaced by Lawson, who had a brief and troubled stint with the team. Lawson's time in the spotlight was cut short after just two races, where he struggled to meet the high expectations that come with being a Red Bull driver. The New Zealander was swiftly demoted back to Racing Bulls, paving the way for Tsunoda's promotion.
Since taking over, Tsunoda has managed to score only six points for Red Bull after four races, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed by Fittipaldi. In an interview with AS, he expressed his disappointment, stating, "Checo Perez was a great representative of us [as Latin Americans] and he was not understood [by Red Bull]." He emphasized Perez's past successes, highlighting his victories in Monaco and Baku, both of which are notoriously challenging street circuits.
Fittipaldi's comments underscore the struggles that Lawson and Tsunoda have faced in comparison to Perez's earlier contributions. "We see this year the test of drivers driving alongside Max Verstappen, but in my opinion they are worse than Checo," he added, pointing out that Perez's skills were not fully appreciated by the Red Bull team.
As the F1 season unfolds, Perez's prospects for a comeback are also gaining momentum. The 35-year-old driver has been linked with a return to the grid in 2026, potentially joining the newly formed Cadillac team. Fittipaldi believes this could be a significant opportunity for Perez, stating, "General Motors, with the Cadillac brand, has a very serious program with many divisions," indicating that Perez would be a strong candidate for the upcoming season.
The discussion around Perez's future has been further fueled by comments from fellow F1 legend and Cadillac advisor Mario Andretti, who confirmed that Perez is indeed a candidate for a 2026 seat. "The driver situation is being evaluated, and you basically look at who's available based on the level of experience you need," Andretti noted. "Checo Perez fits the bill. He's one of the candidates that you could potentially approach, but for the moment I'm not in a position to say more."
Even Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who made the decision to replace Perez, acknowledged the driver's value, saying, "Obviously, it was a tough year for Checo last year, but it's good to see a possible return is in the works. He's a very experienced driver and a real winner. He's a very popular driver. It would be good to see him back on the grid."
Meanwhile, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has not held back in his assessment of the current drivers. In a recent statement, he criticized Lawson's performance and expressed optimism about Tsunoda's potential. Marko has been a key figure at Red Bull for over 20 years and has overseen the development of several championship-winning drivers, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
Marko praised Tsunoda's progress since taking over Lawson's seat, stating, "Yuki is getting better and better. He is the first teammate of Verstappen who can actually match the level of Max." However, he also pointed out that Tsunoda still has areas to improve, particularly under pressure. "Unfortunately, he still makes too many mistakes when the pressure starts to mount," Marko admitted, highlighting the challenges that Tsunoda faces as he strives to keep up with Verstappen.
Since joining Red Bull, Verstappen has had seven different teammates, with varying degrees of success. While drivers like Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo have enjoyed notable victories alongside Verstappen, others, including Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, struggled to match his pace. Lawson's brief tenure is now seen as part of this trend, as he could not deliver the results expected from a Red Bull driver.
As the season progresses, the narrative surrounding Perez, Lawson, and Tsunoda continues to evolve. With Fittipaldi's endorsement of Perez's potential return to the sport and the ongoing evaluations of Tsunoda's performance, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching how this situation develops. The upcoming races will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the future of these drivers and the overall dynamics within the Red Bull team.
In conclusion, the current state of Red Bull Racing is a reflection of the high stakes and pressures of Formula 1. As teams assess their driver lineups and seek to find the perfect balance alongside their star drivers, the performances of Lawson and Tsunoda will be under intense scrutiny. Meanwhile, the prospect of Sergio Perez's return with Cadillac adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.
