The Belgian GP was yet another disappointing race for Red Bull. Looks like ‘bad luck’ is following them very closely. Max Verstappen surged from P11 to P5 (P4 after George Russell’s disqualification), while Sergio Perez fell from P2 to P7. These results won’t be acceptable to Christian Horner. Especially with the summer break in hand, the team would have wanted an optimistic end to the first half. With 10 races left from August, Verstappen will be eager to win them all. The question is, will Sergio Perez be there alongside him?

The speculations over Perez’s future are never-ending. He was expected to excel in Spa, and he largely delivered. However, it wasn’t enough and the Mexican now finds himself outside the top 5 in the drivers’ standings. Meanwhile, despite finishing in P10, Daniel Ricciardo‘s performance has been pretty consistent. This is giving hope to the ‘Maxiel’ (Max + Daniel) fans who now want the ‘Honey Badger’ to get a seat in Red Bull.

Adding to the conjectures, Verstappen and Danny shared the same helicopter on their out of Spa-Francorchamps. The Dutchman shared a reel on Instagram where he was flying alongside Ricciardo. Their family members were behind them, and the old friends looked very happy. Verstappen’s comment read: “Thank you Spa, wishing you all a lovely summer break” And as always, the VCARB driver’s face was gleaming with a bright smile.

The sight has delighted the fans. Some have filled Max Verstappen’s Instagram comment section with messages like, “We got Max and Daniel together before GTA6” and “We get it he (Daniel) has the seat.” As fans continue to fuel their hopes, Sergio Perez’s Red Bull journey walks towards doomsday.

Max Verstappen enjoys with Danny Ric, but Sergio Perez’s replacement rumors gain more fuel

While Red Bull’s ‘star boy ‘ Max Verstappen has absolutely no worries about his seat, there is an impending loom over Sergio Perez’s future in the team. The Belgian GP was his last chance to prove himself. Besides recording the fastest lap in Spa-Francorschamps, has he been super impressive? Not really. Diving down from P2 to P7 was the last thing he would want. With just 3 points in his tally, the Mexican might find it difficult to retain his seat.

Red Bull is said to have arranged a meeting on Monday, where a detailed discussion over Perez’s future is to be held. This will be extremely crucial not just for the drivers but also for the team’s upcoming campaigns. Who are the drivers on Red Bull’s radar? Mainly, Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo. However, young talents like Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad could also be on the list. But the junior drivers would stand no chance against Lawson and Ricciardo. Moreover, team boss Christian Horner is looking for “experience.” So in that case, Danny Ric is the best option. And not until Monday would we know the verdict.

As Sergio Perez keeps his fingers crossed, Max Verstappen will surely take a happy respite. Disconnecting from the speeding world of F1 is the only thing these drivers are craving right now. Meanwhile, Ricciardo’s Red Bull dream continues to hang in the balance. Monday is going to be a busy day at the Red Bull headquarters. The air is intense and mystery encapsulates.

What do you think will be the verdict? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.