Former F1 Boss Weighs In On Red Bull Rivalry Rumours
Eddie Jordan, a former F1 team boss, has shared his opinion that Sergio Perez’s future with Red Bull will remain unaffected by Daniel Ricciardo’s surprise return to the team. Ricciardo, who was dropped by McLaren, has been signed as the Red Bull third driver for the 2023 F1 season.
Ricciardo's role in the team will be to assist Perez and Max Verstappen in the simulator while also participating in marketing events on behalf of Red Bull. Despite Ricciardo’s return to the team, there is speculation that the Australian may be in line for a seat in 2024, should Perez struggle to perform.
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Earlier in the season, there was some tension between Red Bull's drivers after Verstappen refused to obey team orders that would have helped Perez in his battle with Charles Leclerc for second place in the drivers' championship.
According to Jordan, who previously owned the Jordan Grand Prix team that competed in F1 between 1991 and 2005, Perez's position in the team remains secure despite Ricciardo's return. Jordan said during an interview with OLBG:
“There's not a chance Checo Perez will be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.
“Checo is a darling in that team. Remember what Checo does, he is brilliant foil for Max, he is strong, he can win when he needs to win, or when he has the chance and opportunity to win.
“There was a bit of a kerfuffle between the two of them, and the opportunity to be second in the championship was a different issue.”
Jordan continued:
“It's a perfect scenario for Red Bull, as it was for Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
“Irvine was happy, he understood the rules, he was being paid on the basis of what he agreed to do.
“I'm sure Checo is the same. He brings good sponsorship to the team, I doubt Daniel Ricciardo does, not to the same level as the Mexican can bring. The biggest thing Red Bull have is continuity. They will not want to change that.
"Ricciardo has been there before, he knows he doesn't have to be given special treatment, he knows how the team operates, the same people were there; Christian Horner and Adrian Newey.
“They're the key people in that team, Daniel knows them well but it would have to be as a result of a driver not being able to participate, but just to sack Checo, I don't see that at all.”