After tensions between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez reached a turning point in Brazil when the Dutchman refused to accept team directives that would have helped his teammate secure P2 in the drivers’ standings, the driver situation at Red Bull is currently complicated.
Due to his outstanding victories in Monaco and Singapore in 2022, Sergio Perez signed a new contract earlier this year that will keep him with Red Bull until the end of 2024.
Perez could be worried about the stability of his long-term future at Red Bull if his relationship with Max Verstappen falls apart in addition to Daniel Ricciardo’s return, but the Sky Sports panel has chosen another driver to replace the 32-year-old in their opinion.
- Brawn: Formula 1’s popularity is the merit of Liberty Media’s special approach.
- Verstappen: Drivers must adapt to the number two role.
On the 2022 season review program, Karun Chandhok suggested: “I think they should be going hard to try and buy Lando Norris.”
Clearly, in agreement with his colleague on Red Bull’s best course of action, show host Simon Lazenby responded: “Absolutely, spot on. He’s got a contract at McLaren until the end of 2025, I wonder if he thinks that’s too long.”
Norris admitted that he had previously spoken to Red Bull about a possible switch, but he claimed that McLaren’s sincerity and belief in its plan convinced him to sign a long-term contract extension with the Woking team.
Sky Sports’ Natalie Pinkham, justified Lando’s decision to stay at McLaren by informing the other members of the panel what happened to Max Verstappen’s former teammates.
“The problem is doing that [appointing Norris], as we have seen with [Pierre] Gasly and [Alex] Albon, it’s like lambs to the slaughter,” she explained.
“It’s very difficult to be Max Verstappen’s teammate. If you bring a rookie in too soon, it could crush their careers.”
- Russell has no pride in the 4th-place finish despite outscoring Lewis.
- FIA accepts they could heed Martin Brundle’s DRS proposals.
It’s just a matter of time until the patience of Lando Norris wears out despite his faith in his current employers. The sheer ability of the British driver would make him one of the best in a championship-winning car.
With his contract running until 2025, it deems right to think of a possible pairing with Max Verstappen at the Milton Keynes-based team.
