Sergio Perez warned situation is “critical”, Daniel Ricciardo's “confidence” increases pressure at F1 United States Grand Prix
Ricciardo returnไed 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 cont𝔍ract,” 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 satis𓄧fied that he’s not lost his way, and he can do this.”
Jeꦉnson Button was asked if he thinks Ricciardo will replace Pꦐerez at Red Bull,and replied: “A year ago, I would have said no.
“Because of♏ the way that he left Red Bull. They prob🌱ably 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 wan𝔍ts to be fighting at the front.
“He didn’t feel the atmosphere w💮as 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 𝔉there’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 2019ꦫ 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 s🎃aid: “Hindsight is always 20-20. You make the best decisions that you can at the time.
“Sometimes a ch�꧋�ange is what a driver needs. New perspective, new motivation.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade co𒈔vering everything from American sports, to foot🧔ball, to F1.
