On Monday, the Red Bull delegates decided to give Sergio Perez another chance. Despite an underwhelming season thus far, the team has faith in the Mexican driver. Therefore, the much-awaited suspense was eventually cleared by RBR. However, Checo must significantly improve his performance for the rest of 2024 to secure a spot in 2025.
The RB squad has ample options lurking to replace Perez. From experienced Daniel Ricciardo to fierce Liam Lawson, the Milton Keynes-based outfit is rich in reserves. Moreover, RBR’s senior advisor Helmut Marko hinted towards a possible reshuffle in the upcoming season.
Helmut Marko Hinted Towards A Change in Red Bull’s 2025 F1 Drivers’ Lineup
The Red Bull management retained Sergio Perez on a multi-year deal. The decision was made to ensure placidity among the squad amid a chaotic season. However, Checo’s performance has been a new concern for the team. The Mexican racer has failed to deliver on the pinnacle of motorsports. Moreover, he cannot match with his teammate, Max Verstappen, creating a disparity between the two. Therefore, there were speculations that RBR would replace Perez before the summer break. The team brushed off all the rumors, counting on Perez to improve. Helmut Marko confirmed to F1 Insider that Perez is staying with the team as they aim to help him regain his old form. Marko also stated that Ricciardo is staying, emphasizing that nothing will change in their current lineup. While Checo has reserved his RB seat for 2024, doubts exist over his 2025 place.
In a conversation with the media, including Motorsport Week in Belgium, Christian Horner emphasized that the reigning champions are keen to avoid a premature end to Perez’s contract. Horner insisted that nobody within the team wants to make such a decision, even though it’s a frequent topic of external discussion. He reiterated the team’s desire to support Perez, acknowledging that he has faced a challenging series of races. Horner noted the confusion within the team, given how well the season began for Perez. The team plans to thoroughly understand and analyze the issues Perez has encountered in recent races and work closely with him to address them.
However, Helmut Marko commented earlier that the shareholders are eager to see the youngsters. Also, according to a report, the Austrian executive did not favor retaining Perez. Therefore, the clock is ticking for Checo as he needs to put up a show to avoid being robbed of a seat in 2025.
Christian Horner Explains Red Bull’s Future Solution
Christian Horner confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo would remain with Red Bull, putting to rest any lingering speculation that Liam Lawson might replace him. Horner admitted to the media that the team had faced driver issues before making their decisions on Monday. However, he emphasized the importance of having solutions for the future and expressed confidence in Red Bull’s talent pool.
Moreover, the RBR chief highlighted the team’s combination of experience and youth, mentioning Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, Isack Hadjar excelling in Formula 2, and Arvid Lindblad, who he considers an exciting talent in Formula 3. He expressed optimism about the incredible talent within Red Bull’s squad.