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The Milton Keynes-based side have one vacant spot for 2025, with Sergio Perez’s contract expiring at the end of this season.
Perez has shown improved potential this year and, after finishing second to Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix, he currently sits second in the drivers’ standings.
But Red Bull still want to see if Perez can maintain this form in the long term, having started last season in equally good form before suffering a mid-year slump which prompted questions about his future.
MORE: The three factors why Verstappen canceled out Perez’s real advantage at Suzuka
The team has plenty of options if it decides not to continue with Perez, as many top drivers are not yet locked in.
One solution could be to keep things in-house and promote Yuki Tsunoda from RB, with the young Japanese having had a strong start to the season that included a top 10 finish at his home race at Suzuka.
Autosport understands, however, that Red Bull is also evaluating other more experienced candidates.
Alex Albon is on the shortlist, but he is out of reach for 2025 as he is tied to a contract with Williams and is therefore expected to be bought out. As revealed earlier this year, Red Bull has requested a first refusal option on its services for 2026.
Pole sitter Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is a more serious contender, however, with his winning form and impressive technical ability making him an obvious choice if Red Bull think they need to do something different.
But Sainz’s situation is complicated by the fact that Red Bull is not the only team the Spaniard has options with.
Sources have revealed that certain factions within Aston Martin want him to join the Silverstone team for 2025 alongside Lance Stroll and lead it into the new era of F1 rules from 2026, rather than continue with Fernando Alonso.
And then, new F1 manufacturer Audi is also looking for the drivers it wants for its 2026 entry, with Sainz being one of its obvious targets for some time now.
Audi’s efforts to get its drivers in place as early as next year means those with options there may not be able to wait too long, which means they may have to set a deadline to Red Bull to make his appeal.
Red Bull insists it is not influenced by what other teams want and says it will take all the time it needs to ensure it has the strongest driver duo for 2025.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 3rd position, during the press conference
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Speaking exclusively to Autosport about the situation, Helmut Marko, motorsport advisor at Red Bull, said: “The driver market exploded in April, and normally no one talks about it. [about it] in April.
“It’s ridiculous, but we won’t get into this game ourselves. We’ll wait and see, and only then we will make the best choice later.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I heard that Audi is pushing, but it’s a bit strange for a newcomer to push in the driver market. »
While Red Bull is happy to wait until the summer, Perez believes it will spring into action much sooner, as he anticipates the first moves in the driver market could come imminently.
“I’m pretty relaxed about it,” he told Sky Sports F1. “This is my 14th season in F1 and whatever happens next, I am already very happy with what I have done in the sport so far. I believe it will be a matter of time.
“Obviously the driver market is evolving and in the coming weeks there will certainly be a lot of movement. So, I’m hoping that within a month I’ll really know what I’m going to do next year.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the second seat was in Pérez’s hands, especially if he continues to deliver on his promises.
“He’s just got to keep doing what he’s doing,” Horner said. “The whole driver market seems to be very early this year and everyone seems to be rushing, and we’re only four races into the year.
“We’re not in a big hurry. And, obviously, there is considerable interest in our cars, as you would expect. But Checo has priority, and it will take a few more races before we start thinking about next year.
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