Helmut Marko targeting NEW F1 star as Red Bull seat candidate

Red Bull

Marko targeting NEW Red Bull seat candidate

Sergio Perez has underperformed in 2024

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 13 October 2024 19:57

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Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has targeted a new candidate for the seat alongside Max Verstappen at the team.

Sergio Perez currently races alongside the three-time world champion, but the Mexican star has come under scrutiny in 2024.

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In the past ten races Perez has only earned 37 points for the team, and his inability to deliver consistently has had consequences for Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

McLaren have since overtaken the champions in the race for the title, as Lando Norris edges closer to Verstappen in the battle for the drivers'.

Sergio Perez has come under scrutiny for his performances in 2024

McLaren have toppled Red Bull in the constructors' battle

Will Sergio Perez be axed from Red Bull?

Despite Perez’s failure to perform in 2024, Red Bull opted to retain him for the remainder of the season, as they look towards supporting their talent in their junior programme.

Red Bull junior squad Visa Cash App RB recently axed Daniel Ricciardo following the Singapore GP, replacing him with reserve driver Liam Lawson.

Ricciardo was originally tipped to replace a struggling Perez if he performed well in 2024, however now it will be up to Lawson to impress to try and earn a seat at the top team.

However, Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has recently revealed that a new candidate is being considered for the drive, with Yuki Tsunoda placed in contention if he beats his new team-mate.

Will Yuki Tsunoda receive a Red Bull promotion?

“Tsunoda is a candidate to drive alongside Max in 2025,” Red Bull chief said to F1 Insider.

“The remaining races of this season will decide what our driver pairings will look like for next year.

“I can very well imagine that a junior driver will drive alongside Max.

“We decided to compare Lawson and Tsunoda. They have the same material, the same conditions and each now has six races to prove that he is the better one.”