Red Bull have added fire to the rumours that Sergio Perez could be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo in 2025, when the Mexican’s contract expires.
Perez’s future with the Austrians has been questioned for the vast majority of this season, as he continues to struggle under the pressure of being alongside Max Verstappen.
The Mexican has scored just five points in the last three races despite having the best car on the grid, something which has allowed Lewis Hamilton to close to within 30 points of the driver in what is now a fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Given just how good he RB19 is, Perez finishing any lower than second in the standings will be seen as unacceptable, with him looking increasingly unlikely to be offered a new deal.
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His current contract expires at the end of 2024, although if he starts next season badly then there is even the chance of him being dropped mid-season.
Ricciardo is the expected favourite to replace him in 2025, with the ex-Red Bull driver having been given a deal to race for AlphaTauri next season.
Red Bull posting Ricciardo-based content has certainly added fuel to the fire, with a photo of the Aussie and Verstappen having been posted by the team to celebrate the Belgian Grand Prix being extended until 2025.
“Racing at the #BelgianGP until 2025? Sounds good,” wrote Red Bull on Twitter/X, along with a photo of Verstappen and Ricciardo sitting at the top of Eau Rouge.
The Milton Keynes-based team have stressed that they are doing all they can to try and help Checo rediscover his confidence, something which the outfit need not only so he claims P2 this year but so he can help the Austrians defend their title next year.
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He’s just lacked any fight and determination, as proven last weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Perez started the race in P13 after being eliminated in Q2 but could only recover to P10, whilst George Russell was last at the end of the first lap and managed to salvage fourth place.
There have even been rumours that Perez could retire from F1 at the end of this season; however, his management team and Red Bull have quashed the speculation.