What will happen to Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat in 2024? It is one of the many questions ahead of the new season. Daniel Ricciardo is often mentioned as a possible successor, but is Red Bull wise to consider the Australian?
Sergio Perez’s position in Red Bull is generating a lot of excitement as he embarks on a crucial season following Max Verstappen’s dominant performance en route to his third title. It’s worth noting that Perez has already secured a contract extension, signing a two-year deal in 2022. However, his future with the team beyond 2024 remains uncertain, as his on-track performance will play a significant role in determining his fate.
There have been talks about potential replacements for Perez, including Alex Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson. Among them, Ricciardo seems to be in the lead to take over Perez’s spot. This is because he is currently driving for Red Bull’s sister team, Visa Cash App RB, and could seamlessly transition into the Red Bull seat whenever needed.
Furthermore, Red Bull is eager to establish their priority over Ricciardo. Helmut Marko recently stated that Ricciardo is not available to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes due to his long-term contract. This indicates Red Bull’s determination to retain Ricciardo and prevent him from joining their rivals.
However, should Red Bull take into account the potential benefits of considering Ricciardo? Given his inconsistent career since departing from the team that nurtured him in F1, it is worth examining the current situation.
Joining the family
Ricciardo has been a part of the Red Bull family for quite some time, progressing through the ranks of junior formula racing with their unique livery before being given the opportunity to join HRT in 2011.
It’s a classic move for any aspiring talent who doesn’t want to attract too much attention; join a struggling team at the back of the grid and then surprise everyone by finishing higher than expected. In 2012, he made the move to Toro Rosso before eventually switching to Red Bull in 2014 following Mark Webber’s retirement.
Ricciardo is well-known for his fearless overtaking maneuvers and he managed to win seven races with Red Bull. However, his chances of winning a championship were hindered by Renault’s V6 hybrid engine, which couldn’t match the performance of the dominant Mercedes. Another significant factor was the emergence of Verstappen.
In 2016, Verstappen became Ricciardo’s teammate and immediately proved to be a formidable competitor for the Australian. Red Bull had invested in Verstappen’s long-term future, fast-tracking his ascent to Formula 1, and this created tensions between the two drivers as they vied for the position of top driver within the team.
After leaving Red Bull to join Renault, Ricciardo spent two seasons with the French factory team. Although he managed to secure a few podium finishes, Renault struggled to compete with the top teams, leaving Ricciardo mostly in the midfield. In 2021, McLaren seemed like a promising option for Ricciardo, but unfortunately, it turned out to be another challenging partnership.
However, there was a glimmer of hope for Ricciardo at the Italian Grand Prix that year. He showcased his winning form and exclaimed over the team radio, “For anyone who thought I left, I never left. Just moved aside for a while.” Unfortunately, this victory proved to be an exception rather than the norm during his time at McLaren.
Towards the end of 2022, Ricciardo’s struggles with the car became evident, and he appeared disheartened. As a result, the team and Ricciardo mutually agreed to part ways, allowing him to take a planned year off from racing.
However, following the substitution of Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri in the middle of 2023, Ricciardo swiftly discovered himself pursuing Red Bull once more.
The real comeback kid
Due to a hand fracture at Zandvoort, Ricciardo’s plans were disrupted, and he had to sit out five races while he recovered.
In Mexico, we saw glimpses of his former self as he secured a fourth-place qualifying position and finished seventh. It was a pleasant surprise to see Ricciardo perform well in the upgraded AT04, but the question remains: does this prove that he deserves a top seat again?
Although the Australian driver still has the potential to challenge for victories, he has struggled with consistency in the past. And that’s exactly what Red Bull is searching for in a driver to support Verstappen: someone who can consistently deliver strong performances. Gasly and Albon couldn’t quite fulfill that role, and even Perez, who achieved a historic one-two in the Drivers’ Championship this year, had his ups and downs.
In addition to that, there are several other factors that make him a suitable candidate for rejoining his previous team. He possesses a deep understanding of Verstappen and their working methods, which surpasses that of an outsider. Moreover, he enjoys the support and backing of Marko and Team Principal Christian Horner.
Is Ricciardo still a top driver?
Moreover, there are indications that Ricciardo is thriving once more within the Red Bull team. The smiles have returned, and in interviews, Ricciardo has expressed his genuine sense of belonging. If Visa Cash App RB has crafted a rocket that perfectly complements the Australian driver, then it won’t be long before discussions revolve around his ambitions with Red Bull.
However, is Ricciardo regarded as a top-tier driver? When compared to Norris, Russell, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz, they have arguably showcased more qualities by securing podium finishes last year.
Are there other viable options for Red Bull if they wish to replace Perez and meet their criteria? Not really.
Sainz doesn’t seem to be a feasible choice due to his past with Red Bull, and for Lawson, it’s likely too early.
It’s possible that Red Bull may opt for Ricciardo once again in 2025. Ultimately, it will depend on his performance on the track and whether Perez struggles against Verstappen once more.
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