Marko denies rumours: 'Ricciardo does not pressure Perez'

Helmut Marko has assured that Daniel Ricciardo has not been brought to Red Bull Racing to put pressure on Sergio Perez. On the contrary, the team is very fond of the Mexican.

In 2023, Ricciardo will return to the old nest at Red Bull. After two years at Renault and two years at McLaren, he is back with the team he left at the end of 2018. Now as the third driver behind Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, which immediately makes most wonder what kind of dynamics this will create within the team.

Is Ricciardo putting pressure on Perez?

Ricciardo is keen to secure a seat in 2024 and preferably with a top team. He revealed that he believes he can still win races. That is why the Australian was not interested in talks with Haas. Red Bull, therefore, recalled Ricciardo, but with his wishes for the future, his presence still puts pressure on Red Bull's second driver.

''Sergio Perez has shown he can race at a very high level and if Max is not there, then Sergio is there,'' Marko told ServusTV. Ricciardo should be able to replace Perez and Verstappen and, with his experience, is ideal for that. ' 'But it's not as if we want to put pressure on Sergio,'' Marko assures.

Perez still has a contract until 2024 at Red Bull Racing, but by the end of 2022, the first cracks in the relationship were visible. Ricciardo and Verstappen still get along well and so that does mean Perez cannot wage war within Red Bull. Red Bull has a clear number one with Verstappen and Perez will have to settle for a role at his side. If not, a good replacement is already in place in this case.