Helmut Marko has raised fresh concerns over the future of Sergio Perez at Red Bull after he insisted that Liam Lawson should drive 'a few more races' before the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Yet speaking back in October, Marko was adamant that Lawson will be driving an F1 car in 2025.
“He is a tough racer and one of the strongest drivers ever in a duel," he told Kleine Zeitung.
“With the role as reserve driver, he has a big task next year but by 2025 at the latest, he will be in a Formula 1 car anyway.”
Marko coy on Perez F1 future
Perez's future in the sport, meanwhile, has faced severe scrutiny, with some tipping Ricciardo to replace the Mexican at Red Bull.
Marko has now has thrown more fuel on the fire, after he insisted that despite Perez being locked in for 2024, there were no guarantees he would remain at the team after that.
"As of now he will fulfil his contract until the end of 2024, then we'll see," Marko told Austrian outlet oe24.
And when pushed on his comments regarding Lawson driving in F1 before 2025, he added: "Yes, and before that he should at least drive a few more races so that we can see where his potential really lies."
All eyes will be on Lawson therefore next season, as the only way the 21-year-old can take part in an F1 race before 2025 will be if one of the current grid vacates their cockpit...