With Daniel Ricciardo Lurking in the Shadows, Sergio Perez Gauges Lando Norris’ Growing Threat

As a Red Bull driver, getting too comfortable in your seat is never an option, especially if you’re not Max Verstappen. With the fastest car on the grid, Sergio Perez is expected to deliver every time he gets on track, but the past few months haven’t seen the best performances from the Mexican. Since Daniel Ricciardo got promoted from Red Bull reserve driver to a full-time AlphaTauri driver, the expectation to perform has increased for Perez, considering Ricciardo is gunning for his seat. Amidst the Ricciardo threat, Perez has unfolded a new one in the form of Lando Norris.

While Perez’s performances progressively worsened over the course of the season, Lando Norris and McLaren made one of the biggest turnarounds in F1 history. From fighting at the back of the grid, the Woking team brought upgrades that leapfrogged it to almost the front. Owing to the newfound performance in the MCL60, Norris achieved two consecutive second-place finishes in Silverstone and Hungary. Sandwiched between Verstappen and Perez on the Hungary podium, the Mexican driver praised Norris in the post-race press conference.

Perez said, “I think from where they were in Bahrain, or not even in Bahrain before Silverstone—the step that they made these last two races on very different tracks layouts, I think it’s impressive. And I do expect to see Lando a lot more up here. They’ve done an incredible job.” Although Perez talked about Norris only in the McLaren context, you can’t help but think Norris poses a threat to his Red Bull seat as well.

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Christian Horner recently said that Perez and Ricciardo aren’t the only ones he’s considering for the seat alongside Verstappen. Outsiders are in the run, too. With Norris rumored to have been linked with Red Bull earlier and Horner showing quite a lot of interest in the Brit, Perez needs to be wary of Norris as well. But according to him, he knows what he needs to do to stay at Red Bull.

Sergio Perez is at peace with himself at Red Bull

Perez’s contract at Red Bull was set to end at the end of 2022. After his Monaco masterclass, though, Red Bull extended his contract until 2024. Knowing Red Bull, even though he is under contract for another year, it’s keeping its options open. Especially since Ricciardo is intent on proving he’s still got the drive at AlphaTauri. To be in the second Red Bull seat is tough, but all Red Bull wants from Perez is to maximize the RB19’s performance every weekend. Ever since his performances took a dip, rumors about replacing him have gone amuck, but he’s staying focused on the job.

In a recent interview where he discussed the pressures of being in Red Bull, he said, “It’s part of being at the top of the sport, in the best team, and not winning all races. But I’m second in the World Championship, and there’s still a long season ahead. I’m at peace. I’ve been in F1 for 13 years, I’ve seen it all already. That helps you to stay calm in that aspect and to remember that we are here to enjoy what we do. It’s our dream, and the most important is to enjoy it, regardless of anything.”

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Do you think Lando Norris is a legitimate prospect to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull?