Perez warned situation is “critical”, Ricciardo “confidence” increases pressure
Ricciardo returned from injury for AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s sister team, at this weekend’s F1 United States Grand Prix.
His comeback, and his obvious hope to earn a call-up to Red Bull, is an additional layer of pressure on Max Verstappen’s teammate Perez whose 2024 seat is far from certain amid a run of torrid form.
“He has a contract,” Martin Brundle said on Sky. “Perez and Red Bull want exactly the same thing - for him to refind his form and, if he can’t beat Max, at least deliver some solid second-places and second place in the championship.
“Red Bull can’t take a passenger into 2024 if he’s not on form. I can’t imagine Sergio would want to drive it, either.
“These next few races are critical for his head. And for Red Bull to be satisfied that he’s not lost his way, and he can do this.”
Jenson Button was asked if he thinks Ricciardo will replace Perez at Red Bull,and replied: “A year ago, I would have said no.
“Because of the way that he left Red Bull. They probably weren’t too happy with the way that it happened. His accountant was very happy with what’s happened in the past few years!
“He’s a real racer and wants to be fighting at the front.
“He didn’t feel the atmosphere was right for him, alongside Max. Now he does, suddenly!
“I think there is a possibility, yes.
“In terms of confidence, he has so much now. He’s proven that he’s quick against his teammate. That’s a big step to getting into the Red Bull seat.
“Also, if Checo isn’t close enough to Max when they’re in a car that doesn’t have the advantages that they do now, they need someone that can pull in those big points. That is Ricciardo.”
Danica Patrick added: “How exciting for Daniel, to know that there’s a possible pathway back into the Red Bull, if Sergio doesn’t perform.
“That’s a carrot out there. It’s always good to have a second team so you can have these scenarios in place.”
Ricciardo drove for Toro Rosso and Red Bull but left in 2019 to go to Renault, then on to McLaren, where he was axed from a full-time seat a year ago.
Patrick was asked if the popular Aussie will regret his decision to leave Red Bull, and she said: “Hindsight is always 20-20. You make the best decisions that you can at the time.
“Sometimes a change is what a driver needs. New perspective, new motivation.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
