Despite extremely fluctuating performances in the 2023 Formula 1 season, Red Bull is sticking with Sergio Pérez in 2024. Many people cannot fully understand this decision. A renowned expert has now provided a possible explanation that suggests one thing above all: financial motives.
Everything has already been said about Sergio Pérez’s 2023 Formula 1 season. Yes, the Mexican drove his Red Bull to second place in the drivers’ standings, but he wasn’t completely convincing. In the end, Checo was a whopping 290 points short of his teammate Max Verstappen. That’s why many expected him to be replaced after the season, but as we know, that didn’t happen. Pérez will also drive for the Austrians in 2024.
The renowned “ESPN” expert Lawrence Edmondson expressed a spicy theory in the in-house “Unlapped” podcast as to why the Red Bulls are sticking with Checo and not “promoting” Daniel Ricciardo back from their own B team. The journalist believes: The realignment of AlphaTauri and Visa Cash App RB is the reason.
Red Bull wanted a “big name” for its own B team
“They wanted a driver with a big name to lead the renamed team. And if you’re Visa and new [als Sponsor] “If you get in, you can rely a lot on a personality like Ricciardo,” explained Edmondson, in whose eyes the Australian’s non-promotion was primarily due to marketing reasons.
In the journalist’s opinion, Ricciardo and Tsunoda also form a team that can moderate the discussions about the new team name wonderfully to the outside world. “They have two great drivers who can handle it,” said Edmondson, who believes a rookie, for example, would have more difficulty with it.
“It’s hard, both boys [Ricciardo und Tsunoda] not to like. And I think that will really help the team. People will say the team stinks, but I like the two drivers,” said Edmondson.
Ricciardo himself has so far only had a brief comment on the new and the fans highly unpopular name. He did this with his usual positive attitude. He commented briefly on social networks: “New name, new colors, let’s go, baby!”