'Perez gets deadline from Red Bull: this F1 driver is ready as replacement'

Red Bull Content Pool

Rumors

Perez deadline Red Bull performance Ricciardo possible replacement
5 July at 16:34
Last update 5 July at 16:43
11
  • Nicole Mulder

Sergio Perez was given a contract extension at Red Bull Racing not long ago, but since then the Mexican's performance has not improved. According to rumours, Perez needs to start performing better soon, otherwise he could be sent away. His replacement in that case would be none other than Daniel Ricciardo.

'Perez gets deadline Red Bull, Ricciardo ready'

Team boss Christian Horner recently hinted that there are 'other ways' to put pressure on Perez, contract or not. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, the situation for Perez looks imminent: Max Verstappen 's teammate must improve quickly or he could just be replaced by Ricciardo. This will only happen if Ricciardo performs very well in the next three races, and Perez doesn't. Nevertheless, Red Bull have said there are always performance clauses with contracts but not within a specific time frame. Perez recently signed a two-year extension with the team. 

Ricciardo currently drives for Visa Cash App RB, Red Bull's sister team. Recently, Helmut Marko hinted that there is little chance we will see the Australian as Yuki Tsunoda 's teammate next year, as shareholders believe VCARB is a junior team. Liam Lawson would be the logical choice for the F1 seat in 2025, according to the 81-year-old Austrian.

Should Perez be shown the door and thus pave the way for Ricciardo after all - despite Marko recently stating that the 'Ricciardo plan' has failed - this automatically frees up the second seat at VCARB. This would mean Red Bull could hold on to Lawson, who is free to leave for another team in 2025 if there is no place for him at Red Bull or VCARB.

This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.