Daniel Ricciardo has been jumping through hoops for a job that may have already been filled.
That’s according to a bombshell report that claims Red Bull has already made a decision to continue with Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s teammate beyond the 2024 season.
The Australian has been the front-runner to replace the Mexican driver in the top Red Bull team since his surprise move to the Visa CashApp RB development team mid-way through the 2023 season.
The veteran driver has made no secret of his aspirations to win the second Red Bull seat in 2025 — but that dream now appears to be dashed already.
Every practice, qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
According to Mexican Fox Sports journalist Luis Manuel Lopez, the reigning world champion team has issued a one-year contract extension offer for Perez.
In a surprise twist, Perez has reportedly knocked back the contract offer and is instead holding out for a two-year deal before putting pen to paper.
“The team already has the contract, it is for one year,” Lopez said in Spanish on Fox Sports Radio.
“They offered it to Checo (Perez) and he said, ‘Mmm, we have to review it’.
“Checo’s lawyers are in that process, but Checo submitted a two-year counterproposal to which, immediately, Red Bull said no.”
It is a huge development that will send shockwaves across the rest of the Formula 1 paddock as jostling now begins for the few seats remaining available in 2025.
Ricciardo and his teammate Yuki Tsunoda were both hoping to win the seat Perez currently holds, but neither has set the world on fire this season.
Ricciardo appeared to have landed a blow in the battle when he knocked Perez out of Q3 in qualifying at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last weekend, but it appears to have been for nought.
Williams driver Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have also previously been linked with Perez’s job.
Ricciardo is contracted with the Red Bull sister team until the end of the 2024 season, but may now be on the lookout for a new team if his dream of partnering Verstappen doesn’t materialise.
The Formula 1 silly season began early this year following Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell move to Ferrari, but Ricciardo has never been linked with the now-vacant Mercedes seat.
Ricciardo’s future took a twist earlier this year when Red Bull senior adviser Helmut Marko hinted the 34-year-old had a “long term” contract at Red Bull beyond 2024.
With Perez now appearing to have secured the prized drive, all bets may be off.
Marko has been one of Perez’s biggest critics and made public statements last month that Perez may “slacken off” if handed a multi-year contract.
“Everything is an option,” Marko said last month.
“Our team is currently working very well. If he [Perez] has a secure contract for two years, there is a risk that he will slack off.”
Despite the immense pressure of having an axe hovering above him, Perez has made a solid start to the 2024 season.
He has never appeared to be flustered by the speculation about his future.
“I am pretty relaxed about it, it is my 14th season in F1,” Perez told Sky Sports F1 last month.
“Whatever comes next, I am really pleased with what I’ve done in the sport so far.
“I believe it will be a matter of time [before my future is decided] and obviously the driver market is moving and in the next few weeks, there will be a lot of movement for sure. I expect to know within a month what I am doing next year.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has always been one of Ricciardo’s biggest fans, but it appears their close friendship will not be enough to give the Aussie a second shot in the Red Bull chair.
“The whole driver market seems to be very early this year, and everybody seems to be rushing around, and we’re four races into the year,” Horner said in April
“We’re not in a huge rush, and obviously there is a significant amount of interest in our cars as you would expect, and Checo has the priority.
“But it is going to be a few more races before we start thinking about next year.”
Perez sits third on the 2024 F1 driver standings with 107 points, well behind world championship leader Verstappen (161 points).
His greatest advantage has been that Ricciardo and Tsunoda haven’t lifted their performances this season.
Ricciardo has just five championship points, while Tsunoda has 15 for the year.
Perez’s future will be the big talking point heading into this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.