Charles Leclerc Or Lando Norris Will Take Sergio Perez’s Spot
The 33-year-old Mexican’s contract is now slated to expire at the end of 2024, but Red Bull has the right to decide to keep him around.
The contract for Charles Leclerc with Ferrari expires at the end of 2024, although he may depart before then.
The contract for Charles Leclerc with Ferrari expires at the end of 2024, although he may depart before then.
One of the most sought-after positions on the Formula 1 grid is Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat, which has been connected to several drivers.
The 33-year-old Mexican’s contract is now slated to expire at the end of 2024, but Red Bull has the right to decide to keep him around.
A new Red Bull driver is inevitable if his performances in the second half of 2023 and 2024 fall short of the Milton Keynes-based team’s expectations.
Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo have voiced a desire to take Sergio Perez‘s place as the driver, with the AlphaTauri pair appearing to regard the situation as a competition for the driver’s position.
After his outstanding performance for the Grove-based squad, ex-Red Bull and current Williams driver Alex Albon is said to have already refused a return to the Austrians.
Although it is highly unlikely, considering his rivalry with Max Verstappen, even Lewis Hamilton has been linked to Red Bull.
How about Charles Leclerc, though?
The most prominent teams associated with Leclerc as a driver are Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Audi.
According to certain reports, the Monegasque has negotiated a new contract with Ferrari to keep him racing through 2026.
According to his contract, he may extend it by three more seasons, keeping him on the roster until the end of 2029.
Charles Leclerc has stated that contract negotiations haven’t even begun despite this; however, he may be trying to dodge questions about his future by making this claim.
If he is speaking the truth, why not consider Red Bull if the Austrians are curious?
Leclerc’s contract ends at the end of 2024, making a switch to Red Bull simpler than it would be for someone like Lando Norris, whose term runs through the end of 2025.
The 25-year-old gets along well with Verstappen and is a seasoned race winner who has demonstrated this season at Ferrari that he has plenty of speed, even in an erratic vehicle.
Leclerc joining Red Bull would create the finest driver combo on the grid and boost the Austrians’ quest to maintain dominance.
The team dynamic and whether Verstappen receives precedence over Leclerc would be a problem, and this would not be warmly received.
Leclerc refused to settle for the number two spot because he preferred to compete for the title.
Given the problems it may create, having two drivers competing for the championship in the same squad isn’t ideal for either side.
However, if Norris were to compete for Red Bull, he would also want to compete for the title, suggesting that Red Bull should seek elsewhere if they don’t want to sign drivers of a comparable caliber.
But why not talk to Leclerc if they’re okay with two drivers going after the championship?
