A notable shakeup looms as three of Red Bull’s F1 drivers, namely Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo, and Yuki Tsunoda, find themselves under the intense scrutiny of the team’s hierarchy. The spectre of uncertainty now looms large over this trio, each vying for a position within the premier ranks of the sport.
At the heart of this brewing storm is the competitive tension between Ricciardo and Tsunoda, who currently serve as comrades within Red Bull’s junior F1 squadron, RB. Their rivalry has been especially spotlighted this season, with both drivers seen as potential candidates to join Max Verstappen as his 2025 sidekick.
Dr. Helmut Marko, a pivotal figure within Red Bull’s F1 advisory cadre, shared insights with Sky Deutschland during the Australian Grand Prix, revealing the high stakes for Ricciardo and Tsunoda. “Both may be hoping for a place in the first team,” he disclosed, adding, “But for that to happen, one of them will have to be well ahead of the other.”
Marko further commented on their performances, noting, “Ricciardo is a little behind. But let’s say it like this: Tsunoda has speed in qualifying, but in the race, they are both too slow.” He stressed the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities, especially in the initial races, stating, “I think at least a point should have been scored in each of the first two races. It’s very difficult to score points when you’re behind the top five teams, but when you have the opportunity, you can’t make mistakes.”
The evaluation of Perez’s future with the team was also a subject of Marko’s contemplation. Despite acknowledging satisfaction with Perez’s contributions, Marko hinted at potential changes, reflecting on the drivers’ ages and the prospect of looking elsewhere for talent. “We are happy with Perez, but he is no longer young. Neither is Ricciardo. Perhaps we’ll turn our attention to someone else.”
Liam Lawson, a youthful and promising figure at 22, currently in reserve for Red Bull and praised for his last-year performance substituting for an injured Ricciardo, was mentioned as a noteworthy candidate. Marko was impressed, stating, “First he needs to prove himself. But what he showed last year was very impressive.”
Yet, the conversation around Perez’s immediate future seemed to lean towards stability, given his recent achievements. Marko noted, “He drove two very good races. He is second in the championship. The question of who should replace Perez now is not really an issue. It’s about the future.”
GMM
