The reign of Max Verstappen and Red Bull has finally ended. The Austrian team, led by the Dutchman, seemed unstoppable in the current season. Then came the Singapore GP which gave Red Bull an unexpected yet brutal reality check. The RB19 did not like the Marina Bay Street Circuit and was all out of sorts the entire weekend. The troubles were highlighted especially during the qualifying session when both Q3 did not feature any Red Bull cars for the first time in the season. However, the man responsible for making that happen is perhaps paying the price of his heroics in Singapore.

The man responsible for not letting Verstappen into Q3 is none other than their academy driver Liam Lawson. The New Zealander is currently driving Daniel Ricciardo‘s AT04 replacing the recovering Australian. During the final run of Q2, Verstappen was hanging by a thread in 10th position but Lawson’s last flying lap pushed him out of the top 10. This was Lawson’s first entry into Q3 in F1 which he translated into his first points in F1 as well with his P9 finish in the race. But the real question is, at what cost?

According to a report by Auto Motor Und Sport, as seen on Twitter (now X), the Red Bull protege is paying the price of upsetting Verstappen during the qualifying. The reports suggest AlphaTauri is set to renew both Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda for 2024.

This lineup has several implications. Firstly, despite his minor setback, Ricciardo will continue to drive for AlphaTauri in 2024. Second, this news also means, sadly, Lawson will have to wait another year to get a drive in the premier class if he wants to do it with AlphaTauri. Perhaps, the answer to Lawson’s  “not yet” remark might change now.

Last but not least, this news has a major implication for one more driver whose future was uncertain until now.

Read More: After Liam Lawson Ruins Max Verstappen’s Qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda Reported to Make It Worse

With the threat of Daniel Ricciardo subsiding, Sergio Perez can mount his challenge against Max Verstappen again in 2024

Soon after the 2022 Brazilian GP, the relationship of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez took a 180° turn. However, tensions started brewing long before that. So at the beginning of the 2023 season Perez, especially after winning two races, made bold claims about his fight for the championship. However, as soon as the Mexican mounted his challenge for the championship he fell off the wagon. In fact, he fell so far off his Red Bull future came into question which is why Ricciardo became a huge threat for Perez.

Although now that Australian driver is set to extend with AlphaTauri for 2024 as well, Perez can breathe a sigh of relief. In fact, this should also give him a boost to go all out and fight for the championship in his last contractual season with Red Bull.

It is still unsure if Perez’s attempts will bear any fruit but the Mexican will have nothing to lose in 2024. It will be interesting if he can actually give Verstappen a run for his money, after this season’s horrific setbacks.

All the uncertainty in the Red Bull’s extended camp will soon come to an end. Now the drama is much awaited.

WATCH THIS STORY | Sergio Perez Caught in the Crossfire as Sebastian Vettel Dismisses All Attempts to Downplay Verstappen’s Dominance