After three consecutive failed attempts to secure a top 3 finish, Sergio Perez is under pressure. The Mexican driver’s off form isn’t helping Red Bull to have firm control over the 1-2 in the driver’s championship. Unlike Perez, who is struggling in the Red Bull car, Max Verstappen is dominating the grid with 6 wins out of 8 this season. And if the struggle continues for Perez, it won’t be too late to see Daniel Ricciardo replacing him in the RB19.
The Australian driver will soon be seen driving RB19, as he has the opportunity for three-day testing at Silverstone this year. Pirelli will be bringing a new specification of slick tire at Silverstone, and all teams will have the opportunity to test it. For Red Bull, Ricciardo will be testing the new tires.
With this, the Austrian team can check where the former McLaren star stands in terms of his expertise and racing talent compared to Perez in a Red Bull, as Helmut Marko claimed to keep all the options available.
Daniel Ricciardo to make his debut at Silverstone?
Even though it will not be a race debut in the mighty RB-19 for Ricciardo, he will be driving it for the first time and feel what it is like to drive the most dominant car on the grid.
Speaking on Ricciardo’s Silverstone test and the future prospects, Marko stated as per ORF, “We will have Ricciardo in the car for three days after Silverstone during the tire test and then you can evaluate where Ricciardo really stands.”
Looking forward to returning home 😊 https://t.co/cT3yFUXBhz
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) November 23, 2022
Following the test at the British circuit, the 33-year-old will have another go at Monza after the completion of the Italian Grand Prix in September this year.
However, these chances will not equate to Daniel Ricciardo making his Red Bull return after leaving the team in 2018, as Marko’s words don’t guarantee a place for him as yet.
Is Perez doing his bit for Red Bull?
The Mexican driver might seem like falling short of expectations and objectives off-late, but Perez had a great start to the 2023 season. And with 2 wins to his tally, he is still occupying the P2 in the driver’s championship.
Notably, the 1-2 finish in the driver’s championship is the primary objective for the Austrian team this season after they lost it narrowly to Charles Leclerc last season.
With Marko already praising Perez’s efforts, all he needs to do is to be consistent and help the defending champions to the 1-2 finish, apart from pushing the maximum for the constructors’ championship.
