The Formula 1 world is abuzz with speculation following a viral video featuring Daniel Ricciardo and Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner. Captured at the Spa circuit, the footage shows the pair parting ways with smiles after a chat with Laurent Mekies, sparking intense rumours about potential changes in Red Bull's driver lineup after the summer break.
Set for Monday, the meeting could determine Red Bull's mid-season driver line-ups for both their main team and VCARB, a topic that has been the subject of much speculation. Despite Sergio Perez receiving a new contract merely two months ago, his lacklustre performance compared to his teammate Max Verstappen has cast doubt over his future with the team.
Here is the video:
Básicamente, si teníais alguna duda si Checo seguía en Red Bull, esta pillado de Dazn resuelve cualquier duda.
— TitoRitz (@TitoRitzF1) July 28, 2024
1 hora después de la carrera se juntan Ricciardo, Horner y Mekies.
Y la reacción de Ricciardo lo resumen todo, será piloto de Red Bull a partir de Holanda. pic.twitter.com/w4WC6XClVK
Perez's struggle is evident in the points tally, with the Mexican driver accumulating just 131 points to Verstappen's 277. This gap has put Red Bull's Constructors’ Championship lead at risk, especially with McLaren closing in as Red Bull's dominance wanes.
Will Red Bull drop Sergio Perez after summer break?
The possibility of Red Bull dropping Perez during the summer break has fueled discussions, with Ricciardo and fellow VCARB driver Liam Lawson being considered as potential replacements. Ricciardo, who has been part of the Red Bull family for years and recently secured a P10 finish at the Belgian Grand Prix, is seen as a strong contender.
Addressing the ongoing speculations, Ricciardo remarked to the media, about the fatigue of constant future-related questions. "Look, I get it, it can be a bit tiring [talking about the future], but I’ve been there," he said. The 35-year-old driver humorously referred to the situation as a "job interview" and expressed his intent to make the most of every opportunity, including an upcoming test session that might sway Red Bull's decision.