Astonishing Formula 1 driver will challenge Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris for a Red Bull 2025 seat
Surprise F1 stars compete with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo for Red Bull 2025 seats
Sergio Perez is out of contract at the end of 2024 and Red Bull are evaluating replacement options including Lando Norris, Daniel Ricciardo and potential new suitor Carlos Sainz.
Max Verstappen could reunite with former teammate Carlos Sainz when Sergio Perez’s contract expires.
The Mexican’s contract expires at the end of the 2024 season. And Red Bull are considering options after Perez’s poor results this season despite having the fastest car on the grid.
Despite potential competition from Verstappen, the spot is certainly highly coveted. Daniel Ricciardo said he would like to reclaim the seat he vacated five years ago. And Lando Norris has always been linked with a Red Bull switch. Looks like there could be another powerful outsider in the mix.
That’s because Sainz’s long-term Ferrari future looks bleak, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The terms of the two pilots of the Italian national team expire in December next year. However, while Charles Leclerc is expected to accept the offer of a new five-year contract, the publication reports that Sainz will only be offered a 12-month extension. Ferrari wants to leave one of the seats empty for a possible attack on Norris. . .
Sainz is a product of Red Bull’s junior driver program and made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso. He later became a teammate of Red Bull Racing’s leading man, Verstappen, while the Spaniard pursued his career elsewhere. However, reaching the same destination may be a longer journey. The paper also claims the Spaniard could be at the top of Red Bull’s shortlist to replace Perez next year.
Leclerc and Sainz have been consistent Ferrari teammates for three seasons. The Spaniard defeated his first-year teammate with a very impressive result. Leclerc has been a key figure for the 2022 team, which will challenge for the title despite his offer waning by mid-season.
But it was another strong year for Sainz, who won his first F1 race. He also won in Singapore this season, becoming the only Red Bull driver to taste victory in 2023. A series of setbacks over the last two race weekends allowed Leclerc to take the lead after a successful finish. However, in the championship, Sainz faced off against his team rivals.
