Sainz back as Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull? This is what Marko says

Carlos Sainz is 'hot' in Formula 1. The 29-year-old Spaniard took his third victory in Formula 1 in Australia last weekend, and what impressed most was the way he did it. Only just returning from an operation, the Ferrari driver, who will leave the team after 2024, was almost unchallenged to victory. A return to Red Bull Racing in 2025? Helmut Marko was asked about it.

Sergio Perez's contract runs until 2024 and it does not yet seem certain that the Mexican will have a new contract, although Peter Windsor recently revealed that he has heard a rumour in the paddock that Perez has already signed. Who will be the second driver at Red Bull in 2025?

Besides Perez, Yuki Tsunoda is also aiming for a seat in the RB21, but former Toro Rosso junior Carlos Sainz is also in the market. "Of course his form is fascinating," Marko told Laola1. "But you have to realise that Checo has had three good races this year. That he fell so far back in Melbourne was due to a damaged floor and tyre degradation. His only weakness is qualifying, so if he can improve there, we won't have to think about it. The atmosphere in the team is very good, including him."

Tsunoda and Red Bull

So Verstappen's current teammate seems to be in pole position to stay in the Red Bull colours in 2025 as well. What about Yuki Tsunoda? For now, the 23-year-old Japanese is beating Daniel Ricciardo in his fourth season in the premier class of motorsport. Marko is still leaving it a little unclear whether the Japanese driver is a serious candidate.

"You would have to have another driver as a comparison. The question is: has Yuki become a high-flyer or is Daniel that weak? After three races at three completely different circuits, there is no objective answer yet."