The agreement of Sergio Perez with Red Bull ends at the end of this season. Currently, Helmut Marko suggested that Daniel Ricciardo may not be the only contender to take the place of the Mexican driver, if necessary.
The 2024 Formula 1 season had a promising start for the Red Bull drivers. Both Perez and Ricciardo secured first and second places in the first two races, respectively. Consequently, speculations about Perez being replaced in Milton Keynes after a disappointing season in 2023 may soon come to an end. However, Marko believes that Ricciardo is not the only replacement option, should the Mexican driver be replaced.
Marko praised Perez for his exceptional performance at the beginning of the season. He highlighted how Perez’s achievements in the first two races eliminated the possibility of him being replaced in Milton Keynes. If the 34-year-old driver continues to perform at the same level, he will certainly be able to secure his future with Red Bull in the coming years.
However, when discussing the future, the Red Bull consultant made unfavorable comments about the age of both Perez and Ricciardo. Marko stated that neither Checo nor Ricciardo are among the youngest drivers on the grid. Consequently, the two may not possess the same speed as a young driver at their peak. Furthermore, the octogenarian added that considering other factors may open up opportunities for other drivers on the grid to be considered for a spot in Milton Keynes.
All the driver market will be available until 2025. Therefore, selecting a driver for an available seat will not be a difficult task for the various Formula 1 teams. In this context, Liam Lawson, who had a participation of five races with AlphaTauri (currently VisaCashAppRB), was proposed by Helmut Marko. The octogenarian recalled how Lawson performed well in the races where he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
Marko emphasized that Lawson would need to return to the grid to prove his worth. This may suggest that the New Zealand driver would first need a period of time with Red Bull’s sister team. Only time will reveal how the situation unfolds for the former F2 driver. As things stand currently, Daniel Ricciardo may find difficulties in returning to Milton Keynes.
Despite the challenges, Red Bull will continue to dominate the 2024 season. Max Verstappen has the potential to achieve a flawless season, which he almost accomplished in the previous season. Furthermore, the competition has already been largely eliminated after the dominant performances of the Red Bull drivers.
