Daniel Ricciardo Tipped by Yuki Tsunoda as Future Perez Successor at Red Bull

AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda has publicly endorsed Daniel Ricciardo as the likely successor to Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing. Tsunoda’s comments come amid ongoing speculation about Perez’s future with the team.

Key Takeaways:

• Yuki Tsunoda, the AlphaTauri F1 driver, believes his teammate Daniel Ricciardo is set to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull once Perez’s contract ends. Tsunoda highlighted Ricciardo’s experience, fan base, and value in the paddock as key reasons for this potential change.
• Despite Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s assurance of Perez’s role in the team for the next year, there is uncertainty fueled by comments from Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, hinting at instability in Perez’s position.
• Sergio Perez, currently driving for Red Bull, is focused on securing the second position in the Drivers’ Championship at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, a feat that could help Red Bull achieve their first-ever 1-2 finish in the championship.

In a revealing interview with Autosport, Yuki Tsunoda, the young talent from AlphaTauri, has voiced his thoughts on the future of the Red Bull driver lineup. Tsunoda’s insights come as the F1 paddock buzzes with speculation regarding the future of Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing. The Japanese driver stated, “Daniel has experience, more fans, he’s more trusted and more valued so it makes sense. I just have to show my performance consistently to kind of show them [and] everyone that I can be that contender.”

The uncertainty surrounding Perez’s future has been a focal point of discussion in the F1 community. Despite Christian Horner’s steadfast statements about Perez’s role in the team for the upcoming season, Dr. Helmut Marko’s ambiguous comments have cast a shadow over the Mexican driver’s long-term future with the team. Tsunoda further clarified his stance, noting, “Anyway, Checo [Perez] has next year’s contract and nothing we can do to change anything. I just need to keep showing my results now.”

Daniel Ricciardo, a seasoned driver with a considerable fan following, has been performing notably since his return to AlphaTauri from McLaren. Tsunoda observed, “He’s [Ricciardo] doing a good job, especially after coming back from McLaren and he seems really comfortable in the car especially compared to at previous teams. I think he’s got Red Bull energy, the Red Bull style.”

As the F1 circus heads to Las Vegas for the inaugural Grand Prix, the spotlight is on Perez, who has the chance to clinch second place in the Drivers’ Championship. Achieving this would not only be a personal milestone for Perez but also a historic moment for Red Bull, marking their first 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ Standings. The team, known for its competitive spirit, is undoubtedly rallying behind Perez to make this a reality.