F1 champion backs Lawson for Red Bull promotion

1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill has backed Liam Lawson for a Red Bull promotion next year.

Sergio Perez's F1 drive at the Milton Keynes-based squad has been thrown into major scrutiny due a series of lacklustre performances alongside Max Verstappen.

Various names have been linked to Perez's seat in recent months, including Lawson and current RB team-mate Yuki Tsunoda.

Williams star substitute Franco Colpainto has also been touted as a candidate - however, Hill asserted the Argentine is too inexperienced within the Red Bull camp.

“I would have put Carlos Sainz there, but that's not going to happen,” Hill told the F1 Nation podcast. “So I think it's Liam Lawson, almost certainly.

“They’ve got experience of him. I mean, this is where you get into the murky world of ‘there may be some big money’.

“If that's the case, then it could be Colapinto. But I think he's a little bit inexperienced, so we might see him at RB.”

Red Bull urged to consider psychological element

Perez is the third consecutive team-mate that has struggled for form alongside Verstappen, following Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon's failed stints in 2019 and 2020.

Ex-F1 driver Luciano Burti called on Red Bull to consider the psychological aspect as a primary factor, rather than just speed when it comes to deciding its line-up.

“I think Red Bull needs to think more about the psychological side - who is a strong guy in the head to be next to Max in that team?” Burti stated.

“It's not just about speed. It's mainly about confidence and a cool head to deal with the pressure.

“Lawson seems to be one of those guys, he seems to be very open for the fight, and he doesn't seem to care too much, at least, that's what he shows off.

“I would go for Lawson, but I do agree with Damon, and I don't know why Red Bull didn't want to give Sainz a chance. I think he would be the guy to be there.”