Helmut Marko claims Daniel Ricciardo not the sole contender for Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat

Sergio Perez's contract with Red Bull expires at the end of this season. Now, Helmut Marko has hinted that Daniel Ricciardo might not be the only candidate to replace the Mexican if needed.

Helmut Marko claims Daniel Ricciardo not the sole contender for Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat

Sergio Perez, Helmut Marko (In Circle) and Daniel Ricciardo (Via IMAGO)

The 2024 season F1 has been off to a great start for the Red Bull drivers. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez secured one-two finishes in the first two races respectively. Hence, the talks of Perez being ousted from Milton Keynes after a disappointing 2023 season might come to a halt soon. However, Dr. Helmut Marko reckoned that Daniel Ricciardo wasn’t the only contender if the Mexican driver were to be replaced.

Helmut Marko applauded Sergio Perez for his amazing performance during the beginning of the season. Marko pointed out how Perez’s performance in the initial two races had potentially negated the chances of him being replaced by Milton Keynes. If the 34-year-old continues to perform the same, Checo could definitely seal his future with Red Bull for upcoming years.

Sergio is in a very good position at the moment, He has delivered two very good races and he's second in the championship. The question of who should replace Perez doesn't really arise.
Marko said, as reported by autosport.com.
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However, talking about the future, the Red Bull advisor had some ill comments about the age of Daniel Ricciardo and even Perez. Marko asserted how neither Checo nor Ricciardo was one of the youngest drivers on the grid. As such, the two might not have the same pace as a young driver in their prime. Additionally, the 80-year-old added how taking other factors into account could open up the possibility of other drivers on the grid being considered for a seat at Milton Keynes.

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But it's about the future. Perez is no longer the youngest, nor is Ricciardo. And if you then take other aspects into account, another driver could certainly be included in this process.
Marko said

Helmut Marko highlights Liam Lawson’s promising F1 debut amidst Red Bull seat debate

The entire drivers’ market will open up by 2025. Hence, choosing a driver for an empty seat wouldn’t be a mountainous task for the different teams in F1. Amidst this, Liam Lawson who had a five-race stint with AlphaTauri (presently VisaCashAppRB) was put forth by Helmut Marko. The 80-year-old recalled how Lawson performed well in the races when he replaced injured Daniel Ricciardo.

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda
Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda (Via IMAGO)

Marko highlighted that Lawson would need to get back on the grid to prove his worth to the grid. Perhaps hinting that the Kiwi driver would first need at stint at the Red Bull sister team. Time will tell about how the entire situation pans out for the ex-F2 driver. As things currently are, Daniel Ricciardo might find it hard to return to Milton Keynes.

He has to sit in the car first and prove himself. But what he showed in his [five] appearances [in 2023] was very promising.
Helmut Marko stated

Regardless of the issues, Red Bull will continue to dominate the 2024 season. Max Verstappen can potentially score a perfect season which he just missed out on during the previous season. Additionally, the competition is more or less eliminated already following the dominant performance from the Red Bulls.

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