The coveted and feared seat next to Verstappen: who will strike in 2024?

When does Verstappen's contract at Red Bull expire?

With Max Verstappen having a contract until 2028, Red Bull Racing don't have to worry about the number one seat. However, the second driver's seat has been the topic of conversation for years. Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure, Sergio Perez has been the best man next to Verstappen, but the difference between the two is still too big.

When does Perez's contract at Red Bull expire?

Perez has a contract at Red Bull Racing until 2024 and will be 34 years old at the end of that year. So there are still a few years left in the tank, his performance in 2024 will determine which team that is with. If Perez closes the gap to Verstappen in 2024 and does less damage, Red Bull will have little reason to part ways with the successful duo.

As world champions, Red Bull does have the luxury of delaying the renewal of Perez's contract. 13 other contracts are expiring so Red Bull are spoilt for choice. Perez suffered a dip in 2023 after seeing his world title chance evaporate. If that happens again in 2024, a few names will be on the list at Red Bull.

Which drivers could become Verstappen's teammate in 2025?

Carlos Sainz, for instance, has an expiring contract at Ferrari. The Italians would like to keep him, but not at the same price as Charles Leclerc. That goes against the Spaniard's grain. Sainz would be qualitatively the best man next to Verstappen. The question is whether he wants to move to a team where he will be the second driver again. Instead, Sainz seems to be looking for more recognition and a leadership role.

Alexander Albon is second in terms of performance. Albon was not as fast as Perez alongside Verstappen, but that was during his first two F1 seasons. He now has more years under his belt and has grown into Williams's leader. Helmut Marko has already expressed that they may have let Albon go too early and was annoyed that Albon was stuck with Williams until 2024. After '24, Albon is free, and at the High-Performance Podcast, Albon revealed that he would love to make another move to a team that can win races.

Daniel Ricciardo speaks about wanting to end his career at Red Bull, but is he good enough for that? Defeated at McLaren by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as his replacement, is doing a lot better as a rookie. His return to AlphaTauri was not immediately impressive either. Yuki Tsunoda, who seems totally out of the question for Red Bull, beat Ricciardo in their seven races together. Ricciardo will have to impress much more in 2024 to earn the move to Red Bull.

The contracts of Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg also expire at the end of 2024. All men with experience, but for various reasons, they are not the ideal match for Verstappen on the face of it. Gasly is too emotional, Alonso is too much of a number one, and Hulkenberg is perhaps simply not fast enough. So it seems to be between Perez, Sainz, Albon and Ricciardo in 2024.