Marko makes a striking statement about Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull

Helmut Marko has made it clear he wants a Red Bull Junior to partner up with Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing next season. The external advisor describes that as the "ideal situation", providing further doubt about Sergio Perez's future at the Austrian team.

Sergio Perez has a contract for next year, but that does not necessarily guarantee he will keep his F1 seat next to Verstappen. But more doubt has been cast on the Mexican's future after Marko made a striking statement when asked if he expects to see Verstappen driving at Red Bull as world champion in 2025. "And ideally with someone from our junior programme," Marko said in conversation with ORF.

After the Singapore Grand Prix, Visa Cash App RB and Red Bull confirmed Daniel Ricciardo will not complete the season. Red Bull Junior Liam Lawson will replace Ricciardo from the United States Grand Prix onwards and will finish the season. Speaking after the announcement, Christian Horner said "in a perfect world" they would've kept Ricciardo and hinted the team want to see how Lawson performs compared to Yuki Tsunoda at VCARB.

Horner also suggested that Red Bull will not be afraid to look outside their pool of drivers, and publically named George Russell. In addition, he pointed to the many young stars Red Bull has in house with the Red Bull Junior Team.

Liam Lawson will get the chance to prove himself alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the rest of the season, but the future beyond this season is not yet clear for the New Zealander. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull and VCARB's new reserve driver battling for the Formula 2 title, is also being closely monitored.