Dr Helmut Marko, the Red Bull Motorsport Consultant, has confirmed that discussions are underway between Red Bull and Carlos Sainz regarding the possibility of him partnering with Max Verstappen in 2025. Sainz, who is currently available on the market for next season after Ferrari’s decision to sign Lewis Hamilton, has been linked with a potential seat at Mercedes alongside George Russell. Red Bull, on the other hand, is considering their options for Verstappen’s teammate. Speculation has been fueled by Sainz’s recent meeting with Marko at the Suzuka paddock. Marko has now revealed that talks with Sainz have progressed, although he has also mentioned that Sainz has received a lucrative offer from Audi, who are set to take over the Sauber team. According to Marko, Red Bull is unable to match or surpass Audi’s proposal.
Perez continues to be the frontrunner for the second seat at Red Bull, as the Mexican is having his most successful season since joining the team in 2021.
Although conversations with Sainz have been discussed, Marko has determined that Perez is the top choice for the 2025 season, as long as his current performance level is maintained.
Marko stated, “It is evident that Checo is currently experiencing his best season with us. If he can sustain these impressive performances, particularly in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, then he is undoubtedly the ideal candidate for Red Bull in 2025. He has become a team player and has realized that his radical approach to car setup last year was misguided. Now, his setup is much more aligned with Max’s.”
Marko’s remarks regarding Perez and Sainz will disappoint Daniel Ricciardo, who had hopes of returning to Red Bull but has struggled since his comeback to Formula 1.
Ricciardo’s position within Red Bull’s sister team, RB, could be in jeopardy with Liam Lawson waiting in the wings for a full-time drive. The New Zealand driver impressed when he filled in for Ricciardo in five races after the Australian suffered a hand injury in a practice crash at Zandvoort.
“We have a strong driver in Liam Lawson as our reserve driver, and he is free to race for another team in 2025 if he doesn’t secure a seat with us,” Marko explained. “It would certainly be exciting for us to see him in Formula 1 this year to gain a clearer understanding of his capabilities. However, this is a complex matter, and we must wait and observe how it unfolds.”