Red Bull bringing in Daniel Ricciardo as a third driver was seen as a threat to Sergio Perez‘s place. Team adviser Helmut Marko has come out to give all the rumors a rest, providing assurance to Perez. Fans, however, are in no mood to take Marko’s word for it and believe the Ricciardo move is to make Checo comply with the team’s dynamic.

Daniel Ricciardo‘s stint with McLaren did not go as per plan. In each of those two years, the Honey Badger was beaten on points by his young teammate Lando Norris. After eventually growing tired, Ricciardo decided to take a year off from regular action and gather his thoughts. Taking the third driver’s role at his old team Red Bull was a step in that direction.

Helmut Marko gives assurance to Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez has always been the ultimate team player for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. His heroics in the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi are still fresh in fans’ memory. His gritty drive was crucial in helping Max with his first world championship. However, when it came to returning the favor in Brazil this year, the Dutchman backed out.

The incident caused a major rift between the two which Red Bull claimed was resolved. However, when they announced Daniel Ricciardo’s arrival, fans felt it was a pressure tactic for Perez. In an attempt to put an end to such rumors, while speaking with Servus TV, Helmut Marko said, “Sergio Perez has shown that he drives at a very high level and when Max [Verstappen] isn’t there then Sergio is there.” [Translated using Google]

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Speaking on Daniel’s role, Marko told he will only be required if and when a regular driver is unavailable. He continued, “It’s a certainty, but it’s not like we want to put pressure on Sergio.”

Here is how fans reacted to Helmut Marko’s statement.

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One fan had a hilarious meme to express their distrust in the Red Bull adviser.

One user recalled the famous hashtag trend that ran on Twitter during Red Bull’s cost cap saga.

There was one fan who believed if Red Bull were ever going to get rid of Checo, it would be Yuki Tsunoda who would replace him and not Daniel Ricciardo.

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Do you think Helmut Marko’s reassurance is trustworthy or have Red Bull got something cooking behind the scenes?