Marko Names Crucial Factor That Will Matter In Choice Of Red Bull's Second Driver For 2025
F1Tuesday, 02 April 2024 at 15:15
Updated at Tuesday, 02 April 2024 at 15:41
Helmut Marko hinted at one key factor that might influence Red Bull's decision about their driver starting in the 2025 season.
Sergio Perez's contract with the team from Milton Keynes expires at the end of the current season, and the Mexican driver hasn't signed an extension yet.
After an underwhelming performance last season, it seemed like Red Bull might replace the Mexican driver in 2024 already, but that didn't happen. The team bosses even suggested they would consider Checo for 2025 as well if he improved his performance.
Helmut Marko mentioned ahead of the season that his goal for the 34-year-old would be to finish second in the Championship and to win "one or two" races.
The Mexican driver hasn't scored a victory so far and is currently standing third in the Drivers' Championship, but the 80-year-old is apparently satisfied with his performance. As quoted by crash.net, Marko told Sky Germany:
"Sergio is in a very good position at the moment. The question of who should replace Perez doesn't really arise."
As it stands, Perez seems to be one of the most probable candidates; there are also others like Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, or Yuki Tsunoda, for example. The Red Bull Racing advisor hinted that age might affect his decision-making process.
"But it's about the future. Perez is no longer the youngest, nor is Daniel Ricciardo. And if you then take other aspects into account, another driver could certainly be included in this process."
Talking about age, Red Bull has a 22-year-old talented driver, Liam Lawson, waiting on the sidelines. He would do anything to at least get a chance at RB. As to whether he would be considered for Red Bull, Marko said:
"He has to sit in the car first and prove himself. But what he showed in his appearances [in 2023] was very promising."
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