Red Bull Names Possible Replacements for Sergio Perez

Red Bull Racing's engineering chief, Paul Monaghan, has acknowledged that the team is evaluating potential replacements for Sergio Perez, whose performance has significantly declined. Since finishing on the podium in China, Perez has struggled to secure top positions, allowing competitors like McLaren and Mercedes to close the gap in the Constructors' Championship. Monaghan revealed that Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda are among the three drivers being considered as possible substitutes if Perez's form does not improve. Despite the mounting pressure, Perez signed a new two-year contract in July, indicating the team's initial commitment to him. However, Monaghan emphasized that the decision to replace Perez would ultimately rest with team leaders Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. He suggested that the question of Perez's performance should be directed at the driver himself, hinting at the complexities of adapting to the car's aerodynamics and its impact on his speed relative to competitors. Ricciardo, a former Red Bull race winner, remains a strong candidate for a return, especially given the team's history of replacing underperforming drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon. However, Perez has received a notable degree of patience from the team, with Marko expressing confidence in the possibility of turning around Perez's performance. He acknowledged the challenges of being Max Verstappen's teammate and reiterated the team's commitment to making the car more driver-friendly for Perez.