Daniel Ricciardo’s dream of returning to Red Bull Racing has hit a major roadblock. Despite his recent struggles, Sergio Perez has been confirmed to retain his seat alongside Max Verstappen, at least for the foreseeable future.
Since May, Perez’s performance has been under intense scrutiny. His future at Red Bull appeared uncertain, especially after a challenging Belgian Grand Prix. While Lewis Hamilton clinched the win at Spa-Francorchamps, Perez finished a disappointing seventh, trailing behind the leading Mercedes and McLaren cars. Verstappen, despite starting from 11th due to a grid penalty, managed to finish fourth.
Speculation about a driver change grew when Ricciardo was seen chatting with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and boss Laurent Mekies. Regardless, Horner confirmed to the Red Bull staff that Perez would stay. “Checo remains a Red Bull Racing driver, despite recent speculation, and we look forward to seeing him after the summer break on tracks where he has previously excelled,” Horner said.
Adding to the intrigue, Dr. Helmut Marko didn’t hold back his criticism of Perez’s performance. “Sergio had the opportunity to get a good result from second place. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.” He was particularly harsh about Perez’s final stint, where the Mexican driver’s lap times were notably slow.
Perez also brings significant sponsorship to Red Bull, making the decision to replace him complicated. The cost of releasing him could see important sponsorship funds withdrawn. Meanwhile, Ricciardo continues to shine at Red Bull’s sister team, consistently outperforming his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in recent races. Yet, his future with the team beyond this season remains uncertain. Speculation is rife about Liam Lawson being favored for a drive, adding another layer of complexity to Ricciardo’s situation.
Carlos Sainz’s recent move from Ferrari to Williams has further tightened the driver market. Displaced by Lewis Hamilton’s impending arrival at Ferrari, Sainz secured a spot at Williams. “The ultimate goal of getting Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity,” Sainz said. Hamilton, meanwhile, remains unhappy with Mercedes, further shaking up the driver market.
Ricciardo’s prospects for 2025 appear slim. With limited seats available, his performance in the upcoming races will be crucial in determining his future. The next few races will be telling for both Perez and Ricciardo, as Red Bull continues to weigh its options.
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, driver decisions can change overnight. For now, Perez retains his seat, but Ricciardo’s future hangs in the balance. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on their performances.
