The last checkered flag of the season is getting closer and closer. Eight races to go and then it will be a stop. Precisely for this reason, in addition to focusing their attention on the end of 1, the Formula 2023 teams they are already projected towards 2024, a year in which it cannot be ruled out that several things could change in the field too market, especially between Red Bull and Norris.
Perez, season with too many lows and too few highs
The one who has had the spotlight firmly on him since mid-season is undoubtedly Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver is not performing as the team would like: the gap from Max is enormous, as are the results obtained on the track. After a good start in the first races, from the Miami GP - when Max came from behind to win over Perez who had started on pole - the Mexican's trend went slowly decreasing. Precisely for this reason, Helmut Marko he immediately took action by hiring Daniel Ricciardo and AlphaTauri, in place of a disappointing – but at the same time debutant – De Vries. Marko's idea seemed to be quite clear: if Perez wasn't convincing, If Ricciardo had done well he would have taken his place.
The decision on the future of the Mexican
Ricciardo's injury however, with an imminent return that is not so obvious, led Red Bull to confirm – as stated by both Marko and Horner – Perez also in 2024 alongside Verstappen, therefore fully respecting the contract in place with number #11 on the grid. From 2025, however, things could change quite a bit. Perez did not hide nand last days the possibility of leaving Red Bull at the end of his contract and who knows what Milton Keynes aren't already starting to think about the name of the replacement.
Red Bull seriously thinks about Norris, Marko: “He would be perfect for us”
One of the first names seems to be that of Lando Norris. The British driver is the great point of reference for McLaren and his contract is expiring in 2025. The Woking team For now he's enjoying Norris, but the sirens from Red Bull are definitely coming: "Norris is definitely a candidate. During his time at Toro Rosso we had already reached an agreement with him, but then his manager noticed an option in favor of McLaren. As for youth and speed, he would be a much better fit for us than Perez, who is thirty years old and is expecting her fourth child” – declared Helmut Marko to the microphones of Servus TV –. In addition to the Red Bull advisor's analysis, there are also Nico's words Rosberg to Sky UK: “Where will Lando Norris go next year? I hear there's going to be a change".
Horner slows down: “Nothing will change until 2025”
Instead, Red Bull team principal Christian is pulling the handbrake a little more on the issue Horner"Lando (Norris, ed.) is a great driver, there is absolutely no doubt. We are all seeing his potential and growth in him this season. I have to say though he is a McLaren driver and there is still a contract between the parties, we also have our driver pair confirmed until 2024. In 2025 we will have an empty seat and as you can imagine, there's still a lot of time until that moment comes".
Red Bull-Norris, is there really a chance?
So today, hearing about it Horner the Norris-Red Bull negotiation still seems to be a utopia. Contracts in hand, before 2025 there will hardly be any line up changes for both cars, but after all, in F1 never say never, especially when talking about Red Bull.
