Daniel Ricciardo is joining Sergio Perez in heading into the summer break with palpable relief, knowing that Red Bull has chosen to keep its current driver arrangements post-summer break in Formula 1.
According to Ralf Bach from Auto Bild, it was a shocking revelation for Max Verstappen and his management team when they learned that Perez would not be removed due to underperformance.
"Perez is staying," announced Dr. Helmut Marko, an F1 consultant for the energy drink giant, after his discussions with Red Bull Racing's team leader Christian Horner in Milton-Keynes.
"We want to get him back to his old form. Ricciardo is staying too. Nothing will change," added Marko.
The scenario might shift by 2025, though.
Bach notes that Red Bull's initial plan was possibly to sideline Perez and elevate Ricciardo from their secondary team, RB, for the latter part of 2024. Yet, this was reevaluated following conversations with Liberty Media, the owners of F1, to avoid affecting the turnout at the Mexican GP.
Reports from Sport Bild indicate that Perez's significant financial supporter, the Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, might have also played a role in this decision.
However, Marko hinted, "The cards will be reshuffled for 2025."
It's commonly accepted that Liam Lawson is almost guaranteed a spot in the RB lineup for 2025, despite Ricciardo's differing views with Marko on whether the Faenza-based team still qualifies as a 'junior team'.
"I'm honest with myself that if it still felt like a junior team, I wouldn't feel comfortable here," stated the Australian. "I'm 35 now. I think I would feel a bit out of place. And I certainly don't."
During a RB 'filming day' test at Imola on Wednesday, Ricciardo, aged 35, will be up against the 22-year-old Lawson.
"There's a lot at stake for me, but I'm in good spirits," Ricciardo told f1-insider.com.
