F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Perez 'pretty relaxed' over Ricciardo return to Red Bull

Sergio Perez says he won't be losing any sleep next season over Daniel Ricciardo sitting in the wings at Red Bull Racing.

The 33-year-old Australian driver who parted ways with McLaren has returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver who will also assist the Milton Keynes-based outfit and its drivers with sim work and marketing activities.

Last month, at the announcement of Ricciardo's homecoming, team boss Christian Horner played down the prospect of the Aussie returning to a race seat.

"Daniel’s contract is very specific, for a specific reason," said Horner. "We have a contract with Checo for the next two years."

Nevertheless, should either Perez or Max Verstappen find themselves unable to race, Ricciardo is likely to be the team's first choice as a substitute.

But even if Perez underperforms, there's little chance the team will choose to swap the Mexican with its luxury reserve driver.

"I’m pretty relaxed," Perez told Sky Sports at Red Bull’s show run title celebration at Milton Keynes on Saturday.

"I mean, we live under a lot of pressure all the time. It doesn’t change anything from my side.

"I think it’s a great achievement for the team to have a driver like Daniel and he’s going to contribute a lot to our team.

"He’s a great guy, he’s one of the guys that I get on [with] the most in the paddock, so I think it’s just great to have Daniel in the team, and from my side doesn’t change anything."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

51 mins ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

2 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

3 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…

3 hours ago

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

13 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

14 hours ago