Will Ricciardo be Perez's successor? 'I'm 35 and have a job interview'

F1 News

ricciardo has application at red bull to succeed perez
29 July at 08:20
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  • Ludo van Denderen

While Red Bull Racing will decide this Monday whether Sergio Perez can stay on as second driver alongside Max Verstappen, there are at least two drivers eager to step in at the reigning constructors' world champion. So, with a little imagination, a Visa Cash App RB filming day later this week could be seen as a job interview for these drivers; Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson. Does that increase the chances of Red Bull choosing you if Perez is dismissed?

Christian Horner was asked the question several times while talking to the media (including GPblog), following the Belgian Grand Prix: Is the day at the circuit in Imola with Lawson and Ricciardo some kind of shoot-out between the two? Just as often, Horner repeated: "It's a filming day, so they'll be filming, so it's all about content."

They were words that Ricciardo - who very much hopes to return to Red Bull Racing - agreed with to some extent. "I don’t know honestly," said the Australian, who did not feel the filming day is going to be decisive for his future. Still: "Last year when I drove the Red Bull, the [then] current car after Silverstone, that was pretty legit. I was driving the current car, and I knew if I could do something special, maybe then the call would come. I would say that definitely felt a little bit more real. So I'm not going to say no, this doesn't. But that one I was very aware that this could be something real here. This one is maybe a little bit more not sure about."

Ricciardo understands how Perez feels

First of all, it has to become clear at all whether Red Bull will part with Perez. The Mexican reacted irritably at Spa to questions about his future. "I get it. It obviously can be a bit tiring [for Checo]. I've been there. It's not always fun," Ricciardo said. "So, 35, job interview. Yeah, we'll see. We're always planning to do a filming day. I might do a few extra laps. Will it have some weight or not? Let's see. But I guess my approach is every time I'm going to get strapped in I'll try and do the best I can. I won't be in holiday mode just yet," Ricciardo added.