Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 23, 2021 Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner celebrates after the race Pool via REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 23, 2021 Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner celebrates after the race Pool via REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Red Bull seem to be the happiest team in F1 at the moment. With a slender one-point lead on Mercedes, the Austrians are at the top of the constructor’s championship after a splendid weekend in Monaco. In addition, Max Verstappen’s win took him past Lewis Hamilton in the driver’s championship, topping it for the first time in his career.
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Leading both championships for the first time since 2013, Red Bull look a more confident outfit than before. However, they are not immune to questions about 2022. Red Bull advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, gave an update on Red Bull’s plans for their driver lineup next season.
Marko: Will discuss driver lineup after the summer break
Red Bull have two talented drivers in different stages of their careers. While Max Verstappen is only 23 years of age, his teammate Sergio Perez is 31. Verstappen has many years to go in F1, while Perez doesn’t have as many years left.
They also differ in contract lengths. While Verstappen’s contract runs out in 2023, Perez’s contract runs out at the end of this season. The Austrian outfit need to win the title with Verstappen this season to keep him happy, while Perez needs to put in consistent results week in, week out to earn an extension beyond 2021.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 17, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who qualified in P3 with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez who qualified in P2 REUTERS/Bryn Lennon Pool via REUTERS/Bryn Lennon
Although just five races are done, questions are already being asked about Red Bull’s lineup for 2022. Marko responded by saying that this discussion won’t be on the table until the summer break, which is after the Hungarian Grand Prix. “We don’t think about that until the summer at the earliest,” said Marko.
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Marko believes Red Bull do not have to chase in the driver’s market
With Red Bull being a strong outfit, the 78-year-old believes drivers will try to make a deal with the Austrian team before negotiating with other teams. In addition, they also have their sister team, AlphaTauri, to choose drivers from, as well as their academy.
The Austrian said, “In the driver market we are a very sought-after partner. I don’t think drivers start negotiations or make a deal with another team until they’ve tried to make a deal with us.”
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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko and Renault Sport F1 Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul talk on the grid before the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
While his first four races haven’t been strong, Perez put in a solid P4 to win in Monaco. However, he may have just six races to prove his worth to Red Bull ahead of the summer break. And with a strong driver academy filled with young drivers, they are not short of replacements.
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