Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri would have probably committed their next race to McLaren, but Red Bull still sees them as “interesting” candidates for their own seats.
Piastri had a stellar debut season last year and McLaren temporarily moved to retain him until the end of 2026. And Norris has been drafting new terms ahead of this campaign, confident he can win races with the Woking-based team.
Both have been on Red Bull’s radar in the past, especially the Briton who was, until his return to McLaren, the leading candidate to upgrade Sergio Perez. The Mexican’s contract expires at the end of this season and the champions will have all his characteristics. for the seat next to Max Verstappen.
Neither is now vying for a move to Red Bull in 2025. But advisor Helmut Marko, who has a say in the team’s driver decisions, has made it clear that he will continue to keep a close eye on both.
Speaking to Austrian broadcaster Servus TV that Norris is “definitely in the centre of our minds”, the 80-year-old said: “His father jokes that Lando possibly wouldn’t celebrate his first Grand Prix win until Max retires. I told him he had to come. ” For us, then it would definitely happen faster. “
However, he admitted: “Norris has at least a contract until 2026, so it’s not a short-term option, nor is Oscar Piastri. But both drivers are attractive to us in the future. “
Perez started the season with his long career under scrutiny, but he started the crusade pretty well. Team principal Christian Horner has said in recent weeks that the seat belongs to the Mexican, and Marko echoed that by praising the 34-year-old.
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Marko said: “It’s clear that Checo is having his most productive season since he’s been with us. If he maintains this performance, as he did in qualifying in Japan, then he will be the most productive option for Red Bull in 2025. “.
If Red Bull decides to make a change, it may need an external candidate. Daniel Ricciardo is considered the preferred option before the start of the season, but his form with sister team RB is not as popular as it needs and he has yet to score a single point so far.
Team-mate Yuki Tsunoda has overtaken the Australian and, if Red Bull decides to advertise from within, the Japanese driver looks to be the best candidate at the moment. Red Bull have no plans to upgrade Ricciardo anytime soon, but, unless his form improves, they will actually turn their attention to reserve driver Liam Lawson, who is patiently waiting for his next F1 experience.
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