Red Bull Honcho Reveals if Daniel Ricciardo Can Be Max Verstappen’s Teammate Once Again: “Contract is Very Specific”

Daniel Ricciardo joined Red Bull as their reserve driver for the 2023 F1 season. Regarded as Ricciardo’s homecoming, the move surely delighted both the team and the driver. However, is the Australian in a place to snatch the F1 seat from Sergio Perez and be Max Verstappen’s teammate once again? Team principal Christian Horner reveals.

Red Bull already has Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez as their confirmed driver for at least the next two seasons. Since taking Verstappen’s place is not an option, the only chance for Ricciardo to have the F1 seat at Red Bull is by replacing Perez. However, Horner unraveled the intricate contractual theory on this.

As per the report published by GP Fans, The Red Bull boss stated, “Daniel’s contract is very specific for a specific reason, and we have a contract with Checo for the next two years.”

Furthermore, the 49-year-old boss praised Verstappen and Perez for their recent performances.

READ MORE: “You Live and You Learn”: Daniel Ricciardo Once Candidly Opened Up on the Ruthless F1 Reality Which Befell Him

He conveyed, “What the partnership of Max and Checo has produced has been phenomenal for us. The five one-two finishes this year, the constructors’ championship that we hadn’t won for eight years, is a phenomenal achievement.”

Former F1 world champion believes in Daniel Ricciardo’s chances

Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 world champion, believes Daniel Ricciardo might have a shot at replacing Sergio Perez for the F1 seat at Red Bull. It is believed Verstappen is instrumental to the Austrian team’s success. In that case, if a driver has to move out, it might well be the Mexican.

Emphasizing the recent Brazilian GP fallout between the two Red Bull drivers, Hill is of the opinion if many more such incidents occur, team officials might have to replace a driver and reinstate the Honey Badger.

The F1 World Champion told Sky Sports F1, “It could be quite an interesting one if you think about the problems they have apparently had between Max and Sergio. Let’s say the toys go out of the pram and there is some sort of fall out there. Daniel Ricciardo could be in prime position.”

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However, a similar fallout seems to be unlikely in the near future as the two Red Bull drivers pushed aside their differences and mutually agreed to work with each other. As for Daniel Ricciardo, he’ll have to wait for his chances.