Since McLaren unceremoniously showed Daniel Ricciardo the door at the end of 2022, everyone wanted to see him back on the grid. Everyone, including the drivers. In a lovely twist of fate, Red Bull—quite uncharacteristically—offered him a second chance. It wasn’t just as its Reserve Driver but also as a full-time AlphaTauri driver. He got to call-up, and just over a week later, he was back in an F1 car at the Hungarian GP. 

“I’m happy for Daniel. He’s very motivated to be back, so well done to him. It’s a great opportunity for him,” said Sergio Perez. The Mexican might now be thinking, “It’s a great opportunity for him to replace me.” Unless Perez gets back in form and starts putting in performances Red Bull expects, the Honey Badger will be waiting to pounce despite his commitment to AlphaTauri.

The fairytale dream is still alive for Daniel Ricciardo in 2024

Since Ricciardo returned “home” to Red Bull, he’s expressed his intent to get back to that second seat he left in 2019. While he wanted anything but to be the second driver back then, it’s all he dreams of now. Considering he’s at the fag end of his career, he calls his chance to drive for Red Bull again a fairytale ending. The only problem is that Perez is standing in the way, at least until the end of 2024. Or is he?

The Mexican has had a shocker of a season. After starting well, it’s only been a series of disappointments for Perez. While there are glimpses of good performances occasionally, that might not be enough. In the same car, Max Verstappen is 177 points ahead of him, just 3 points away from sealing the championship. While Perez isn’t expected to match Verstappen, he’s at least expected to secure P2. Guess what? That’s under threat, too. Considering all this, F1 reported Lawrence Barretto gave a few insights on the Perez situation.

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On F1.com, Barretto wrote, “Sergio Perez is under pressure at Red Bull, having scored only a little over half the number of points his teammate Max Verstappen has mustered, the Mexican trailing by 177 points despite having what is comfortably the best car in the field. Sources suggest Ricciardo would be Red Bull’s favored driver to replace Perez if required either mid-season or at the end of the 2024 campaign.” Red Bull is no stranger to mid-season switches. So, if push comes to shove, and Perez just isn’t delivering, the team could very well show him the door to make way for Ricciardo.

Read More: Daniel Ricciardo Breaks Silence on “Harsh Reality” of Hurtful Ouster From McLaren

At the Japanese GP, AlphaTauri announced that Ricciardo would drive for the team in 2024. Considering driving for Red Bull is his dream, there’s no doubt he’d happily leave AlphaTauri to join Red Bull. Ricciardo is a clear threat for Perez, but the Mexican is undeterred.

Sergio Perez knows what he needs to do

Since Perez joined Red Bull, it’s not like he hasn’t done anything to prove he deserves to be there. He was a great teammate in 2021, and he picked up the scraps in 2022 whenever Verstappen couldn’t finish the job. Over the three seasons, he’s played the team game, but he’s also helped Verstappen become the driver he is. After the Japanese GP—where Red Bull won the Constructors’ Championship, F1 journalist Peter Windsor said, “[Perez] played his role, of course he did. Won races, lots of testing [and] lots of development. And also a very good teammate. His ability has allowed Max [Verstappen] to get on and do what he does with his own ability.”

Perez knows he has the ability to perform. He knows he can defend himself when it comes to threats from Ricciardo or anyone else regarding his seat. Discussing Ricciardo’s possibility of replacing him, Perez explained, “From my side, it doesn’t change anything because I drive for Red Bull. There’s not just Daniel out there. It’s Yuki [Tsunoda]. More than half of the grid would like to drive for Red Bull. So it doesn’t change anything. That’s why I’m focused.” 

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Do you think Sergio Perez can finish P2 in the Drivers’ Championship this season? Even if he does, can Daniel Ricciardo replace him in mid-season in 2024?