The entire Red Bull fan army expected a replacement for Sergio Perez ahead of the Dutch GP. Developments around the summer breaks suggested it to be a highly probable event. The Mexican racer has been in a never-ending slump, jeopardizing RBR’s title hopes. Surprisingly, the Red Bull management decided to stick with the experienced driver for the remainder of the season. The team wanted to give another run to Checo and expected things to get better.
Max Verstappen finished second in the Zandvoort race, while Perez sealed the fifth spot. For the first time since the Miami GP, Peerz entered the top five. However, in the recent Italian GP, things returned to square zero, with Checo finishing eighth. This has reignited the theory of Red Bull replacing Perez with one of the VCARB racers.
Is Checo’s Slump Opening The Red Bull Door For Daniel Ricciardo?
The Red Bull team has an unchanged driver lineup for the remainder of the season. However, when the team announced Perez would continue as the second driver, rumors suggested it was mainly due to monetary motives. Moreover, some believe Liberty Media influenced RBR’s decision to retain Checo. It was due to the upcoming Mexican GP, which would have been dull without the home hero. Further, Checo has a massive fan following in Mexico, thus, he can generate mammoth revenue. At the same time, his absence could result in financial loss to the F1 owner company. However, according to an F1 photographer, RBR might look beyond Checo after the Mexican GP.
Kym Illman recently revealed that the paddock is buzzing with the rumors that Daniel Ricciardo will partner up with Verstappen. Moreover, the Mexican GP is the deadline for Perez to improve his performance. If he fails to do so, there is a high chance that the Australian racer will replace him in Red Bull. The Milton Keynes-based outfit wants Checo to perform in front of his home crowd. Afterward, the team might consider putting Liam Lawson or Ricciardo in the seat to drive the RB20. Ultimately, Illman disclaims that these are all rumors and nothing can be predicted beforehand.
However, if the energy drink-based team decides to move on, Riicardo would have a better chance. The Australian has been with the Bulls in the past. Further, his experience could come in handy, given the stiff competition. Perhaps the move is less likely to become a reality, as all the RBR personnel reassured Checo’s seat.
Marko Backs Checo Perez Ahead Of The Baku Showdown
Helmut Marko expressed that while the layout of the Baku track may not truly represent the overall competitiveness of the cars, Sergio Pérez has a particular affinity for this circuit, having won there in 2023. Reflecting on Red Bull Racing’s past performances, Marko noted that they have consistently been strong in Baku. However, this time, success will depend on how quickly the team can restore the desired balance in their car. Achieving that balance will be critical to improving their positioning for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix compared to recent races.
Marko also highlighted that if Max Verstappen is given a car that allows him to be competitive, his exceptional driving skills will shine even more. He emphasized that the team can continue to rely on and build upon Verstappen’s ability in future races.