Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed that drivers outside of the energy drink company will be considered for 2025, with the outfit having received a “lot of interest”.
Whilst reigning World Champion Max Verstappen is contracted until the end of 2028, Sergio Perez’s deal is set to expire at the end of 2024.
It’s therefore Perez’s seat which is vacant for 2025; however, the Mexican is likely still in contention to retain his seat.
AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo is a definite option for the Red Bull seat in 2025, with many having suggested that he could replace Perez as soon as 2024.
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The former Red Bull driver has already expressed his intent on racing for the side again, something Horner has recognised.
However, it’s not just between Ricciardo and Perez for the 2025 seat, with Red Bull set to consider drivers “outside our spectrum”.
“It’s just the position that we’re in it’s great to have a lot of interest,” Horner told Sky Sports.
“And it’s not just from those drivers – it’s from drivers outside our spectrum as well regarding 2025.”
Ricciardo is seemingly Perez’s biggest threat for the 2025 seat, given his previous experience with the team and relationship with Verstappen.
Ricciardo is the only team-mate of Verstappen’s to have ever beaten him in the Drivers’ Championship, something Perez has never come close to achieving.
Then again, Verstappen has won the championship every year Perez has partnered him, making the statistic somewhat unfair.
Regardless, a good relationship is clearly present between Ricciardo and the reigning World Champion, who many expect will have a say in who his team-mate is in two years.
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To be considered though, Ricciardo will likely need to excel at AlphaTauri, having rejoined the Faenza-based side at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Red Bull loaned Ricciardo to their sister team to replace the fired Nyck de Vries for the remainder of 2023, before the sister team consider their options.
Red Bull Junior Liam Lawson is the favourite to be promoted to AlphaTauri, given his sensational performances in the Super Formula championship over in Japan so far this year.