Max Verstappen admission sparks UNUSUAL Red Bull second

Max Verstappen admission sparks UNUSUAL Red Bull second driver…..read more

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has made an unusual statement regarding the team’s plans for the 2025 Formula 1 season, particularly concerning the second driver alongside Max Verstappen. With Verstappen recently clinching his fourth World Championship title in Las Vegas, Marko’s comments shed light on the team’s expectations for the future, as well as the challenges facing the current second driver, Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen’s dominance in the 2024 season continued after a brief slump, with the Dutchman returning to peak form at the Qatar Grand Prix. His impressive victory, marking his ninth win of the season, saw him finish ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. This victory further solidified Verstappen’s position as the top driver in the sport, as he continued to extend his lead in the standings and demonstrate his exceptional driving skills.

In stark contrast, Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, has been facing increasing struggles. The Mexican driver endured another disappointing performance at the Lusail International Circuit, failing to finish the race. This marked his second retirement in the last three races, further exacerbating concerns about his future with the team. Perez’s inconsistency has been a growing issue for Red Bull, as he has accumulated only 49 points since mid-May, far behind Verstappen’s dominant pace. Despite having signed a new deal with the team earlier in the year, Perez’s seat for the 2025 season is now in doubt.

With Perez’s form faltering, speculation has been rife regarding who will partner Verstappen next year. Names like Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have been frequently mentioned as potential candidates for the seat. Both drivers are part of the Red Bull Junior Team and have shown promising performances in their respective roles, leading to growing speculation that one of them could be promoted to the senior team in 2025.

Marko, who has been a key figure in Red Bull’s driver decision-making, recently spoke to De Telegraaf about the team’s future driver lineup. His comments revealed just how much the team’s focus is on Verstappen and how the second driver will be expected to support his title aspirations rather than challenge him. According to Marko, the future of Red Bull’s driver partnership is clear-cut: the second driver will not be expected to compete with Verstappen for championships but rather play a supporting role to ensure Verstappen’s continued dominance.

Marko pointed out that rival teams like Ferrari and McLaren have a different dynamic, with drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at McLaren, who could potentially take points away from each other over the course of the season. Marko’s remarks highlight the fact that Red Bull sees Verstappen as the cornerstone of the team, and any potential second driver will have to accept this reality.

When discussing the situation at Mercedes, Marko mentioned the uncertainty surrounding the team’s stability and how that could impact their performance. However, when it comes to Red Bull, Marko made it clear that the team’s priority is Verstappen. He emphasized that no other driver, in his view, would be capable of challenging for the championship in the same way Verstappen has. “For us, it’s only about Max,” Marko stated, reinforcing the idea that the second driver will be expected to support Verstappen’s bid for further titles rather than act as a rival.

This shift in perspective has created a rather unusual demand for Red Bull’s second seat. Rather than seeking a driver who could potentially push Verstappen for wins and titles, Red Bull appears to want someone who will fulfill a supporting role, ensuring that the team remains focused on Verstappen’s continued success. This approach contrasts with other teams, where internal competition between teammates is often encouraged to spur performance and improve overall results.

The future of Sergio Perez remains uncertain, with Red Bull’s decision on their second driver set to have major implications for the team’s 2025 campaign. If Marko’s comments are anything to go by, Red Bull is less interested in creating a competitive environment between its drivers and more focused on ensuring Verstappen has the best possible chance to continue his dominance in Formula 1. With the 2025 seat still up for grabs, all eyes will be on who is ultimately chosen to partner Verstappen in what is likely to be another championship-chasing year for Red Bull.