Red Bull 'Has To Make Decision' About Their Next Driver Now Says Schumacher

Wednesday, 10 April 2024 at 00:15

Sky Sports pundit and former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher suggested that Red Bull must make the driver decision sooner than they claim.

The driver market started moving very early this year, with Lewis Hamilton signing a deal with Ferrari before the season even started.

Multiple big drivers are in serious talks with multiple big teams, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff suggested he expects a "big name" driver to sign with one of the teams within the upcoming few weeks.

Drivers want to have the security of having a seat for next season, so they would like to sign their contract as early as possible. Conversely, F1 teams would like to prolong their decision for as long as they can.

Helmut Marko from Red Bull is a great example. It is understood that Red Bull is now considering multiple alternatives for their seat, mainly Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso, or Carlos Sainz.

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Marko has emphasized several times over the recent week that he doesn't intend to make his decision before the summer. However, Ralf Schumacher told Sky Sports that prolonging this decision wouldn't make sense, as the good drivers might sign with other teams.

"I don't quite believe that the decision at Red Bull will only be made in the summer. Now is precisely the time to strike, now that Sainz is on the market. It has to happen now."

"[Sergio] Perez is the candidate to have to leave the seat. [Fernando] Alonso is also still on the market. That's why Red Bull has to make a decision now,"

Ferrari was clear on what drivers they wanted ahead of the season and didn't wait around with their contracts. McLaren didn't even have to, but they also secured Lando Norris (beyond 2025) before the 2024 season even began.

Red Bull is a very attractive seat, and the team will most likely have a championship-contesting car at least in 2025. Consequently, some drivers might want to wait to see if there is an opportunity, but will they?