Daniel Ricciardo Named Direct Competitor Days After Helmut Marko Ranted on Sergio Perez’s Red Bull Future

2 years ago, Sergio Perez was touted to be the man who helped Max Verstappen secure his controversial title victory over Lewis Hamilton. However, the tables have turned. Sergio Perez is struggling to keep up with his teammate and Daniel Ricciardo is looking to capitalize. Verstappen has been miles ahead of the Mexican Minister of Defense in 2023. The Dutch Lion sealed the title this year when Perez crashed out during the Sprint Race, making Verstappen a three-time World Champion. Not only has Checo spilled water over Verstappen’s celebrations, but he might be surpassed by the very man he helped Verstappen against in 2021. Mercedes poster boy Lewis Hamilton is chasing Perez down, and may just surpass the Mexican in points, invalidating his antics from Abu Dhabi in 2021.

But it is not just Hamilton that Checo needs to worry about! The real threat is from within, as Daniel Ricciardo looks to make a comeback to his former team, with which he has seven Grand Prix wins. Ricciardo’s backup, Liam Lawson, excelled during his time at AlphaTauri. If Daniel Ricciardo is promoted, his replacement is likely to be Lawson. With everything working against him, Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1 lies ‘in his hands’.

Helmut Marko aims sights at Perez as Daniel Ricciardo makes a comeback

Pressure is piling on for Sergio Perez as the Mexican driver can’t seem to catch a break. Chief Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko has resumed his antics. The 80-year-old is notorious for his ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against Red Bull’s driver roster. Numerous drivers have had to endure Marko’s wrath. In the past, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have been on the receiving end of his fury. But it looks like Perez is next in line.

Katie George of the Unlapped Podcast shared, “He hasn’t been all that pushed – especially by his teammate Checo Perez this season. And Helmut Marko is back making waves per usual. It was a tough sprint race and Grand Prix for Checo. And Marko seemed to warn that Checo’s seat was ‘in his own hands’ for 2024. But indicated that AlphaTauri having three strong drivers is certainly turning up the heat a notch.”

The heat that Marko speaks of is being turned up by none other than Daniel Ricciardo. His relationship with the Milton Keynes outfit goes way back. The Honey Badger has not been shy in expressing his desire to return to the top team.

After his crash at the Dutch GP, the Honey Badger took to the sidelines. But all eyes were on his replacement. Lawson managed to win the hearts of Red Bull and AlphaTauri alike after his tantalizing performances, especially in Singapore.

READ MORE: ‘Last-Minute Policing a Joke’: Sergio Perez Shifts Blame Onto F1 as Helmut Marko Pressures Him to Change Teams

Helmut Marko has also expressed his interest in the Aussies comeback, though reminding outlets that the team still has a contract with Perez for 2024.

Will Hamilton crush Perez’s hopes for 2024?

While Christian Horner has spoken of his support for Perez, his patience is wearing thin. Horner has commented on how other teams seem to benefit because they have two drivers working towards the same goals. With Perez’s performances lately, this isn’t the case for the Milton Keynes outfit.

Sergio Perez is currently sitting at 224 points, which is only 30 more than Verstappen’s 2021 rival, Lewis Hamilton. Perez’s inconsistent results have caused his comfortable lead to shrink. And at the rate Hamilton is gaining, he has a very good chance of beating Perez in the driver’s standings by the end of the season. If the Mercedes duo had not imploded in Qatar, the stakes would have been even higher. Sergio Perez has the fastest car on the grid by some margin but is having a hard time delivering.

It will be embarrassing for Red Bull if they lose out to Mercedes in the constructors, as they have not come close to matching the reigning Champion’s pace. However, their consistency has been Sergio Perez’s Achilles Heel, putting the Mexican’s seat under threat.

WATCH THIS STORY: Will Daniel Ricciardo Get Swapped in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull?

As Helmut Marko has repeatedly said, Sergio Perez’s seat is in his hands. With mounting pressure from the junior team, it will be crucial for Perez to keep Hamilton and Co. at bay if he wants to survive Marko’s wrath.