Daniel Ricciardo shouldn’t be a “actual various” to exchange Sergio Perez at Pink Bull, in response to a brand new report.
The Australian has didn’t put strain on Perez’s seat having been largely dominated by his Visa Money App RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda this 12 months.
Experiences emerged final week Pink Bull was deep in negotiations with Perez a couple of contract extension — a revelation that dashed Ricciardo’s hopes of a promotion to the senior Pink Bull outfit in 2025.
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Now, in response to German F1 web site Motorsport Whole, it has emerged that Tsunoda and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had been seen as extra lifelike choices to companion Max Verstappen than Ricciardo — if Pink Bull axed its Mexican driver.
The Spaniard is and not using a seat for subsequent 12 months after Lewis Hamilton’s shock transfer to Ferrari and his administration is reported to have reached out to Pink Bull in regards to the crew’s No. 2 seat following his victory on the Australian Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, Sainz has now been compelled to show in the direction of different choices he has on the desk due to the swirling rumours it’s only a matter of time till Pink Bull’s extension with Perez is introduced.
That extension comes regardless of Perez struggling a foul type droop that has seen him crash to fifth on the motive force’s standings this season. He additionally had a qualifying catastrophe and crashed out on the Monaco Grand Prix on Monday morning.
The crew has nonetheless been capable of carry him due to Verstappen’s dominance and since it’s clean crusing contained in the Pink Bull storage whereas Perez stays no menace to the Dutch star.
It leaves Sainz as the most important free agent for subsequent 12 months and it emerged final week a brand new contender has come to the celebration for his signature.
Autosport reported on Friday that Sainz has been engaged in talks with Williams over a deal for the 2025 season.
Sainz, forward of the Monaco Grand Prix, wouldn’t indulge on the most recent rumours sweeping throughout the paddock, however mentioned he’s placing all his choices on the desk earlier than deciding what’s finest for him.
“Behind the scenes I do know extra,” Sainz mentioned.
“You will have the rumours and the whole lot, however don’t fear, I’m not going to let slip something.
“I’m going to simply put all of the choices on the desk and make the appropriate choice. I can simply inform you that, as soon as I open my thoughts up, the whole lot will occur in a short time. It’s all about placing the whole lot collectively that I really feel like I would like on my subsequent new contract.”
If the rumours come to fruition, Sainz would companion with Alex Albon for the 2025 season and doubtlessly past.
Williams presently sit equal final on the constructors standings with zero factors to their identify to date in 2024.
Whereas they’re not anticipated to be a powerhouse once more subsequent season, the crew is deep in planning for 2026 when regulation adjustments are enforced.
The crew have an engine take care of Mercedes in place with crew principal James Vowles saying the crew is making ready for an enormous shift come 2026.
“The 2025 automobile is within the tunnel, it’s so simple as that,” Vowles mentioned.
“And also you’re doing that to get forward of your self in time for truly 2026 and 2027. All over my messaging will proceed to be the identical: it’s not that I don’t care about these years (earlier than 2026), however I would like us to achieve success sooner or later.
“To try this, I’ve received to make some fairly harsh choices with a view to remodel the organisation.”
Ricciardo and Tsunoda had been each hoping to win the seat Perez presently holds, however neither has set the world on fireplace this season.
The Perth-product is contracted with the Pink Bull sister crew till the top of the 2024 season, however might now be looking out for a brand new crew if his dream of partnering Verstappen doesn’t materialise.
Ricciardo’s future took a twist earlier this 12 months when Pink Bull senior adviser Helmut Marko hinted the 34-year-old had a “long run” contract at Pink Bull past 2024.
With Perez now showing to have secured the prized drive, all bets could also be off.
