Dr. Helmut Marko reveals multiple drivers are considering Sergio Perez’s Red Bull spot for 2025, as Perez faces a pivotal year to secure his position.
Dr. Helmut Marko openly admits that at least three drivers, and potentially four or more, are eyeing Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat for 2025.
However, the energy drink company’s leading F1 consultant asserts that the Mexican still has the chance to prove he deserves a contract extension.
“Checo needs to deliver consistent performances this year; that’s what we’ve asked of him,” Marko explains.
“It’s clear he can’t always drive at the level of Max Verstappen, but if he finishes second in the championship with one or two victories, he’ll certainly be a contender for 2025.”
“We know Checo, we understand his value and team spirit. He just needs to eliminate the highs and lows he experienced in 2023.”
Marko is seen as particularly tough on Perez, 34, but he also acknowledges the difficulty of his job.
“On one hand, it’s a highly coveted seat. But on the other, it’s an ejector seat, as no teammate can compete with Max, and that can quickly become demoralizing.”
Marko says Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda – the duo from Red Bull’s second team, RB – are also closely monitoring Perez’s situation.
“For both of them, it’s not just about staying in Formula 1 but also about the possibility of a promotion to Red Bull Racing. That could happen if one of them clearly dominates the season within the team. We need clear answers.”
If there’s no internal driver capable of replacing Perez (if needed), external candidates must obviously be considered.
Marko denies that former Red Bull driver Alex Albon is still in contention to replace Perez.
“Albon is not a concern for us; he has a contract (with Williams) until 2025.”
But what about another former Red Bull family member: Carlos Sainz is now actively seeking another leading seat for 2025.
“Carlos Sainz probably wants to make a decision sooner than us,” admits Marko, explaining that Red Bull can “afford to wait until after the summer holidays.”
Red Bull approaches the 2024 season with confidence
Aside from the Christian Horner saga, Red Bull is in a luxurious position for 2024, Marko openly admitting the 2024 car has an advantage over the rest of the field.
“Max’s last long run in Friday’s practice was impressive. He drove, delivering these times with tremendous ease, and his feedback was always precise.”
“It was a relief because there was certainly a risk in what we did with the car, going a bit beyond a simple evolution. As we were vastly superior last year, we could think very early about the new car.”
“If we had just brought an evolution from last year’s car, there would also have been a great risk that someone would discover something that went beyond normal evolution. That’s why we chose the most radical path. I would describe our car as a revolution in the current F1 budget context.”
“Our goal is a fourth world title, clearly. And the package is good. Max has become even better, if that’s possible.”
He admits that, for now, Ferrari seems to be Red Bull’s main challenger at the start of 2024.
“Ferrari has closed the gap. In qualifying, they might even be on par, especially Charles Leclerc. That’s his strength – he may be the fastest.”
“I don’t expect us to have the same domination as last year, however. But of course, the world title is clearly achievable.”
“That would place Max in a position where only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are ahead of him, and it took them much longer to reach these records.”
Perez’s Red Bull Future Hangs in Balance for 2025. Perez’s Red Bull Future Hangs in Balance for 2025
- Norris Eager for Season with McLaren MCL38 Boost
- Following us on Facebook and Twitter.
