Red Bull News by Christian Horner Seems Adverse for Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo
Team principal Christian Horner has stated that Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo are not the only drivers vying for a Red Bull seat beyond 2024.
Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver who is gunning for his third World Championship in as many years, is locked into his position as a member of the Red Bull line-up until the end of the 2028 season.
With his continued hints about his future in Formula 1, Verstappen has more power than Red Bull to terminate his contract early.
While it seems certain that Verstappen will remain at Red Bull for the foreseeable future, it is less certain that Perez will. Verstappen has stated that competing in top-tier machinery would make it difficult for him to leave.
Now that Verstappen has won eight races in a row and Perez’s title hopes have faded, there are suggestions that Red Bull may not renew Perez’s contract for the last year, 2024.
Although he was relegated to the junior team AlphaTauri to replace Nyck de Vries in 2023, Daniel Ricciardo has made it plain that he wants to return to the Red Bull line-up for 2024.
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Horner has made it quite clear that the fight for a Red Bull seat in 2025 is the primary focus, but it appears that the showdown between Perez and Ricciardo will not be a straight shootout.
“It’s just the position that we’re in, it’s great to have a lot of interest,” Horner said to Sky Sports News.
In addition to Perez and Ricciardo, drivers from beyond our sphere of influence have expressed optimism about 2025.
Now that Formula One has entered its summer break, Perez is 125 points behind teammate and Championship leader Max Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo will return from the break hoping to avoid finishing the season with a zero-point deficit after competing in two races for AlphaTauri.
The junior Red Bull team has struggled mightily this season, scoring just three points and sitting dead last in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
