Perez 'pretty relaxed' over Ricciardo return to Red Bull

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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.

Read also: Ricciardo reveals 2023 cross-country 'self-reflection' plan

"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."

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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.