'They are worse' - Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda handed major Sergio Perez criticism

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have been judged as being "worse" than Sergio Perez, by two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. 

Perez and Red Bull parted ways at the end of last year following four seasons together, with the Mexican's performances having weakened particularly in 2024. 

He was replaced by Lawson, who immediately succumbed to the pressure of being a Red Bull driver. Remarkably, he was demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two races. 

Yuki Tsunoda was promoted to replace the New Zealander, yet has scored only six points for the Milton Keynes-based outfit after four races. 

Based on the performances at Red Bull by Lawson and Tsunoda, Fittipaldi has come to a simple conclusion.

"Checo Perez was a great representative of us [as Latin Americans] and he was not understood [by Red Bull]," Fittipaldi told AS. 

"We see this year the test of drivers driving alongside Max Verstappen, but in my opinion they are worse than Checo.

"Perez won in Monaco and in Baku, which are very difficult street circuits and he is very fast. We see the difficulties: Red Bull changes drivers to see who is closer to Verstappen, but Checo was better." 

The 35-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to the grid in 2026 with Cadillac, who will become an 11th team on the grid next season. He has also been rumoured with Alpine. 

Fittipaldi expects Perez to return to F1, and eyes the new F1 team has a great option for him.

"General Motors, with the Cadillac brand, when it comes to F1, has a very serious programme with many divisions," added the F1 legend. "And Checo Perez is definitely a very strong candidate."