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“Daniel Is Not Coming Back”: Sergio Perez’s Drastic Downfall Termed Dream Scenario for Max Verstappen & Co. to Achievement Ambitious Plans

Published 07/12/2023, 10:15 AM EDT

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Sergio Perez’s position within Red Bull Racing has been the center of numerous speculations lately, especially following Nyck De Vries’ dismissal and Daniel Ricciardo’s unexpected step into the AlphaTauri seat. Is this, as many have asserted, the beginning of a downward spiral for the Mexican driver, once hailed as a serious challenger for the title? Alternatively, this narrative could be seen as a potential dream scenario for Max Verstappen and Co., aiming to achieve their ambitious plans. The shift within Red Bull Racing has been termed a drastic downfall for Sergio Perez, but it appears to be more of a strategic move rather than an indication of Perez’s performance.

Red Bull Racing has not been known for patience when it comes to drivers struggling to meet their expectations. Nyck De Vries’ sacking yesterday again proved that Red Bull is the most unsafe seat on the grid, but seemed to have set the stage for Daniel Ricciardo‘s return. Just four races prior, Perez was seen as a contender for the championship, and his current difficult period was not, according to Ted Kravitz, in the Sky Sports F1 podcast, indicative of a long-term problem. Moreover, he pointed out that the potential replacements within the Red Bull family were not particularly compelling.

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Kravitz quashed rumors of potential replacements within Red Bull, saying: “Liam Lawson isn’t ready, Daniel is not coming back.” Additionally, he argued that Perez’s performance didn’t pose a problem for Red Bull’s standing, stating, “It’s good it caused Red Bull a problem when Checo was up there taking points off Max and Max was, you know, furious about it, disappointed about it. That was a problem.”

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“Now they don’t have that problem and they are gonna win the constructor’s championship anyway with all Max’s points and Max is going to win the driver’s championship, where is the problem?” Baker deemed this as a dream scenario for Red Bull, seconding Kravitz’s views that this is what Red Bull wants that Checo plays second fiddle to Max & nothing more.

But for now, it’s AlphaTauri or nothing for the Aussie racer, seeing this step as part of a long game that may ultimately lead him back to Red Bull. With Sergio Perez trailing behind Max Verstappen by 99 points, another angle emerges that suggests the team may be eyeing a high-profile replacement.

Are Max Verstappen & Co. pursuing Lando Norris?

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In the midst of Perez’s woes, recent developments hint at an interesting player on Red Bull’s radar. The sighting of Lando Norris’ agent Mark Berryman deep in conversation with Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko at the British Grand Prix, Marko’s recent praise for Norris’ performance, and Verstappen’s friendship with Norris has set tongues wagging.

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With Norris’ commendable season performance and Marko’s open admiration for the young British driver, it seems plausible that Red Bull might be considering a bold move. “The only talented driver I still see in this league is Lando Norris,” Marko was noted saying last year, adding to the intrigue of his meeting with Berryman.

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While securing Norris could prove difficult given his McLaren contract until 2025, the heightened speculation is sure to add pressure on Perez. The impending midsummer break could bring more clarity to this racing rumor mill.

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Written by:

Vidhita

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Vidhita is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports. Driven by her deep passion for motorsports and a love for the exhilaration of speed. Since 2016, she has been captivated by the world of F1 after watching a race with a relative, and her fascination has only grown stronger over the years.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar