Helmut Marko claims Red Bull will not ‘participate’ in Audi and Aston Martin’s ‘games’ of quick 2025 driver decision

Helmut Marko made it clear that Red Bull won't rush into making a driver decision despite Audi and Aston Martin already trying to finalize their drivers for 2025.

Helmut Marko claims Red Bull will not ‘participate’ in Audi and Aston Martin’s ‘games’ of quick 2025 driver decision

Helmut Marko, Audi showcar (in circle) (images via IMAGO).

The majority of the F1 driver market remains open for the 2025 season. Hence, multiple drivers will be looking over their options to finalize their respective teams before the mid-season this year. Amidst this, Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko reassured that Milton Keynes won’t rush into the decision of finalizing a driver, potentially replacing Sergio Perez.

Helmut Marko pointed towards what Audi and Aston Martin were doing to the drivers on the grid. Audi had reportedly given a two-week ultimatum to Carlos Sainz to take up the offer from the German manufacturer. Additionally, Aston Martin also planned to swoop Sainz from the coming season. However, Marko reassured that Red Bull would not be participating in such ‘games’. Additionally, the 80-year-old asserted that Milton Keynes would not decide on a replacement before the mid-season.

From what radio paddock says, Audi asked Carlos Sainz to make a decision quickly and Aston Martin is also exerting pressure on several fronts. We do not participate in these games, Red Bull will not decide before mid-season.
Helmut Marko said, as reported by formulapassion.it.

Apart from this, Marko also shared his opinions over Sergio Perez‘s performance at the Japanese GP. The 80-year-old claimed that the Mexican driver was playing his ‘best season’ for the Austrian constructor. The Mexican’s P2 finish helped Red Bull secure a third 1-2 finish of the 2024 season. Hence, the 34-year-old has good chances of securing a contract extension.

FS Video
In Japan it was very solid, so far he is playing his best season with us.
Helmut Marko noted.

Christian Horner reveals that Sergio Perez is the ‘priority’ for Red Bull

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner resonated with what Helmut Marko had to say about the team’s plans for its driver line-up. Horner mentioned that the drivers market had started quite early this season. The 50-year-old pointed out that every driver was in a rush despite finishing only four races. Horner reinstated that Red Bull was in no rush.

The whole driver market seems to be very early this year, Everybody seems to be rushing around and we're only four races into the year. We're not in a huge rush.
Christian Horner said, as reported by timesnownews.com.
Christian Horner and Sergio Perez (Via: Imago)
Christian Horner and Sergio Perez (Via: Imago)

Apart from this Horner claimed that there was a significant amount of interest towards Red Bull due to its dominance on the grid. Previously, Christian Horner claimed that 16 drivers were in contact with the Austrian team.. Regardless, the Briton reiterated that Sergio Perez was the priority for the team to drive in the coming season. 

There's a significant amount of interest in our cars, as you would expect, but Checo has the priority and it's going to be a few more races yet before we start to think about next year.
Christian Horner noted.

The 2024 season is currently smooth sailing for Red Bull overall except the Australian weekend. The Austrian team seems to have moved on from the Christian Horner investgation saga and have found stability once again. However, time will tell about how the rival teams develop resistance against Red Bull domination this season.

In case you missed it: