Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has responded to the rumors of Daniel Ricciardo potentially replacing him in the team. With Red Bull known for not hesitating to replace drivers mid-season, some have suggested that Perez’s position may be on shaky ground with the arrival of Ricciardo.
In a team statement, Perez was asked if he was worried about being replaced by Ricciardo, to which he replied, “No, when you are at Red Bull Racing you have got to perform at your best. It doesn’t matter whether Daniel is here or not, Red Bull can pick pretty much any driver they want on the grid”.
Perez then went on to talk about the benefits of having Ricciardo as the reserve driver, “I think we are very fortunate to have Daniel. The level of experience that he has, and to be able to have him back at the factory with the engineers. When we are talking about the car he will really understand what we are talking about. I think it’s great to have someone like him around and I think on weekends he will be a massive help.”
The Mexican driver also commented on the team’s performance expectations, saying “When you are fighting for a championship you need two drivers that can score points for the team. It’s not just about one driver, it’s about the team”.
Red Bull has a history of replacing drivers mid-season, including Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat. However, Perez seems unfazed by the prospect of Ricciardo replacing him and is instead looking forward to working with the experienced Australian driver.
