Albers: 'Horner to prod at Marko to achieve Ricciardo return'

Sergio Perez is still with Red Bull Racing until 2024, but according to Christijan Albers, we should not be surprised if Max Verstappen has a new teammate next season. According to the former Formula 1 driver, Christian Horner is all too keen for Daniel Ricciardo to return.

'Horner wants Ricciardo'

Red Bull could terminate his contract if Perez performs (too) poorly, according to Albers. "My feeling is that Christian Horner is prodding Dr Marko all the time. I just have the feeling that Horner wants Daniel Ricciardo back in," the analyst told De Telegraaf's F1 podcast.

"I just notice that Horner has turned the marketing campaign full on to get Ricciardo back in, but I wonder if that's really good for the Verstappens to be honest. I don't think it is that it is a driver who is on the same level as Max at the moment. Yes, a Lewis Hamilton [is], but they never get to drive next to each other."

The 46-time Grand Prix contender notices from everything that Horner is constantly lobbying for Ricciardo. That the Australian has just now broken his metatarsal is a stretch. Ricciardo has only driven two races and will need to get a few more good results to also convince Marko that he is the best man next to Verstappen.