Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan believes there's no chance that Red Bull will replace Sergio Perez with reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo this season.
After failing to secure his seat with McLaren for 2023, Ricciardo is taking a sabbatical from F1, but the Aussie is keeping a foot in the sport's door as a third driver for Red Bull along with F2 charger Liam Lawson.
So far, Red Bull has given no indication that Perez is under pressure to improve his performance level relative to reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
The Mexican won two race wins to his team last season, and his team knows that challenging Verstappen, let alone beating the Dutchman on merit is a daunting task.
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But Jordan argues that Perez is Verstappen's perfect ally and wing-man who also delivers big points to his team in its fight for the Constructors' title.
"There’s not a chance Checo Perez will be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo," Jordan told OBLG.
"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."
©RedBull
Jordan compared Verstappen and Perez's situation at Red Bull to the working relationship was enjoyed by Michael Schumacher at Ferrari with Eddie Irvine.
"It’s a perfect scenario for Red Bull, as it was for Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine," Jordan added.
"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."
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