Helmut Marko breaks silence on possibility of Daniel Ricciardo replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull

With Checo's performances not being up to the mark, Marko admits to the possibility of him being replaced with Ricciardo in the future.

Daniel Ricciardo (Credits: CNN), Helmut Marko (Credits: The Mirror) and Sergio Perez (Credits: Sports Illustrated)

Daniel Ricciardo has dramatically returned to F1 following the sacking of Nyck de Vries from AlphaTauri. As this move has come amidst Sergio Perez’s dry run of performances, many speculations have been raised about Ricciardo potentially replacing the Mexican at Red Bull. Now, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently came forward to answer these speculations.

While Marko already stated that Perez would continue with them next season, he did not deny the possibility of Ricciardo driving for Red Bull. He explained that Ricciardo’s selection depends not on whether he performs well. Marko said that keeping up, both psychologically and on track, with Max Verstappen’s dominance is not easy.

“We haven’t made any promises. He knows that if he performs well, there is a possibility. Life alongside Max is certainly not easy. There are very few drivers who can withstand Verstappen in terms of speed and psychologically,“ Marko told Sport.de.

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Amidst the Daniel Ricciardo threat Sergio Perez steps up for his place in Red Bull

Sergio Perez and Christian Horner (Credits: Insider)

Perez has been under constant criticism due to his recent performances. The Mexican has not qualified for Q1 for five straight races now. Even though we have seen impressive comebacks from the Mexican as he started 15th in Austria and finished 3^rd, the Mexican is still far from the title-winning season he was projected to have at the start of the season.

Adding to his pressure, the recent axing of Nyck de Vries for Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri threatens his position with Red Bull as well. Seeing how aggressive Red Bull’s policy is towards its drivers, Perez will surely aim to get his results back up. Perez has admitted that he has “fallen short” on Saturdays and aims to qualify at the Hungarian GP successfully. He said he has constantly been working with his team, looking for room to improve.

?️ | Helmut Marko on Sergio Perez

“Perez has a contract valid for 2024, which he signed last year – and he has already survived for two and a half years alongside Verstappen, which in itself is a record. It's not easy."

"In Qualifying he has been doing below average lately,… pic.twitter.com/HLhgd0iXUN
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) July 20, 2023

“I know I have fallen short in qualifying at times this season, so my focus has to be on having a successful Saturday. I know I have the race pace on a Sunday and an incredible car that should be on the podium every weekend. I have been in Milton Keynes working hard with my team on making improvements,” said Perez.

Perez now has his eyes set on the Hungarian GP. Highlighting its significance for him, he said, “Hungary is an important race for me because it’s about getting my whole weekend in a complete place.”

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