The future of Sergio Perez in the Red Bull team for the 2024 Formula 1 season remains uncertain, despite previous statements from team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko that Perez’s current contract will be honored. Formula 1 reporter Lawrence Barretto argues that while Perez is the “most likely” option for Red Bull in 2024, it’s far from a guaranteed scenario, with Daniel Ricciardo posing a potential threat to Perez’s seat.
Perez has shown improvement in recent races, achieving podium finishes in three of the last four rounds. However, his overall performance compared to teammate Max Verstappen has been inconsistent, and he currently trails Verstappen by a significant margin in the championship.
Barretto suggests that Perez’s future with Red Bull may depend on his performance in the remaining races of the 2023 season. While AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s junior team, has struggled in the Constructors’ Championship, the team is expected to have a closer relationship with Red Bull in the future, making seats at AlphaTauri attractive.
Daniel Ricciardo, who is currently on loan at AlphaTauri, could potentially replace Perez in the Red Bull team for 2025 if he excels during his time with AlphaTauri. However, this scenario depends on both Perez’s performance and Ricciardo’s performance at AlphaTauri.
Yuki Tsunoda, Ricciardo’s current teammate at AlphaTauri, is considered the “overwhelming favorite” to retain his seat for the 2024 season. Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson is also a potential candidate to replace Ricciardo or Perez in the Red Bull or AlphaTauri teams, depending on their performances. The final driver lineup for 2024 is yet to be determined and may be influenced by the performances of these drivers in the second half of the 2023 season.
