Red Bull clarify their No. 1 option for the 2025 season

Red Bull's start to the 2024 season was a bumpy road, as the Austrian racing team faced 'inappropriate sexual behavior' allegations aimed at team director Christian Horner. Now, a little under halfway through the season, they lead both the drivers and constructors standings but face one problem... They need to settle on a driver for the 2025 season.

Max Verstappen is the arrowhead driving the team forward this season with big wins in his RB 20, unlike his teammate 'Checo' Perez. The Mexican has struggled to put on good performances and is currently ranked 5th in the standings.

The Mexican driver entered 2024, the final year of his contract, under huge pressure. Perez has struggled to maintain form in the RB20. Furthermore, luck has not been on Perez's side, as seen in the Monaco GP, where his car was totaled by Kevin Magnussen.

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According to Racingnews365, Christian Horner has urged Sergio Perez to recapture the form he showed at the early start of the season as the Austrian team comes under threat from McLaren and Ferrari.

If Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are not happy with the performance of the Mexican driver, there is a possibility they will seek alternative drivers from the grid. There are solid alternatives that could usurp Perez's throne.

According to the online publication CRASH, "alternative options for Red Bull this coming season include Carlos Sainz Jr, who will lose his Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton in 2025."

Yuki Tsunoda was another option for the Austrian team, but "he is not being seriously considered as a replacement for Perez at Red Bull despite his good form," according to CRASH.

"Discussions are ongoing and Checo is still our first option. We want to be clear about this before the summer break, even if we are certainly not putting any pressure on ourselves," said Helmut Marko during an interview.

Perez is negotiating his contract terms with Red Bull but, the Mexican must rally his numbers and secure better finishes to avoid any uncertainty behind his renewal.

"Monaco was brutal for him [Perez]. We obviously need to make sure that we get both cars up there scoring points," shared Horner with local media after the crash in Monaco. Will we see 'Checo' Perez stay at Red Bull then? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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