There are only a handful of drivers in Formula 1 right now who wouldn’t snap up Sergio Perez’s Red Bull Racing seat immediately if it was offered to them.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be quite happy to be driving for Ferrari next year, while both McLaren drivers have already committed their long-term future to the team.
In an interview with OE24, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that one team in particular want Red Bull to decide on the Mexican’s future as quickly as possible.
After an incredibly quiet year in the Formula 1’s driver market in 2023, the speculation and potential movements for next season and going to kick into overdrive very soon.
The teams at the top of the Constructors’ Championship are going to have first choice over the drivers they want for 2025, meaning Red Bull are likely to move first in the market.
They’ll hope Max Verstappen isn’t tempted by the offers coming his way, but Sergio Perez could be on his way.
He’s entered the final 12 months of his contract and while Red Bull are considering other options to partner with their star Dutchman, it appears as though other teams might be keen on the 34-year-old should he be let go.
Marko has now suggested that Audi are pushing Red Bull to decide whether they want Perez for 2025 and beyond.
The giant German manufacturer enter the sport in 2026 and will want to start on the front foot.
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Helmut Marko says Audi are pushing Red Bull to make Sergio Perez decision
Being Max Verstappen’s teammate is arguably the most difficult job in Formula 1 right now.
There are plenty of drivers – including Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly – who weren’t up to the task at Red Bull.
Three drivers could claim that they coped with being partnered with Verstappen admirably.
Daniel Ricciardo spent several seasons with the Dutchman at Red Bull before deciding to forge his own path, a decision Christian Horner believes ‘nearly destroyed’ his career.
At Toro Rosso, Carlos Sainz matched Verstappen throughout the season but various factors stopped the Spaniard from achieving the same points total.
It’s no surprise that Sainz is now on the shortlist to potentially join Red Bull in 2025.
However, entering his fourth season at Red Bull, Sergio Perez has shown that he’s a strong foil for the 26-year-old.
It makes sense that Audi want Red Bull to decide on Perez’s future soon as Marko suggests.
They may end up having similar targets in the driver’s market as the current champions.
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Audi making Formula 1 demands before 2026 entry
OE24 asked Marko: “Which brings us to the driver carousel. The Red Bull contract with Perez expires at the end of the year – is there anything new?”
The 80-year-old replied: “We don’t allow ourselves to be pressured.
“Audi [who will enter Formula 1 in 2026] apparently wants a decision.
“We look at everything in peace. When we have enough overview, we will decide on our drivers.”
Who could Audi hire before they join the F1 grid?
Audi might be pestering Marko and Red Bull to make a final call on Sergio Perez’s future because they’re targeting the same driver.
Carlos Sainz is high on Audi’s list of potential drivers and David Coulthard believes the Spaniard will end up following in his father’s footsteps to race for the team.
If Sergio Perez is released, then he will be looking for a new team too and might not be a bad option for the German team.
They also have an interest in Haas star Nico Hulkenberg who has been told by Ralf Schumacher that he needs to move teams for 2025.
There are so many moving parts in the driver’s market, it’s no wonder why Audi are keen for Red Bull to make a final decision soon.
The post ‘Wants a decision’: Helmut Marko says one F1 team are rushing Red Bull into making Sergio Perez 2025 call appeared first on F1 Oversteer.