F1 boss Christian Horner confirms Red Bull second driver target
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has confirmed the Milton Keynes-based outfit is actively eyeing options for their second driver seat for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
As the F1 driver market heats up, all eyes are on Red Bull’s plans beyond Sergio Perez, whose current contract expires at the end of the 2024 season. Speaking ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Horner acknowledged the team is “assessing all available options” to ensure they remain competitive alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s 2025 Driver Puzzle
With the driver market in full swing and multiple contracts up for renewal, Horner’s comments have intensified speculation over who might line up in Red Bull colors next year. While Perez remains a contender for an extension, the team isn’t ruling out change.
“We want the strongest pairing possible. Checo [Perez] has started the season well, but we owe it to ourselves to keep an eye on the landscape,” Horner told reporters.
Red Bull’s shortlist reportedly includes:
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Carlos Sainz – Set to be a free agent after Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton for 2025, Sainz’s strong performances and past Red Bull ties make him a viable candidate.
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Daniel Ricciardo – Currently racing for RB (formerly AlphaTauri), Ricciardo is pushing for a fairytale return to Red Bull’s top team. Horner praised his “experience and leadership,” hinting he’s still under consideration.
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Yuki Tsunoda – The Japanese driver has impressed early this season and continues to develop under the Red Bull umbrella.
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Liam Lawson – The New Zealander, currently a reserve, showed promise during his stand-in performances in 2023 and remains a long-term project for the team.
Why Red Bull Is Playing It Smart
Red Bull’s dominance in recent years—largely thanks to Verstappen—has made the second seat both a prized and pressure-filled role. Perez has delivered solid results but struggled at times to match Verstappen’s relentless pace.
Horner emphasized the team’s strategy: “We want continuity but also performance. The second car needs to be consistently delivering to help in Constructors’ points and race strategy.”
With rivals like Mercedes rebuilding and Ferrari reloading with Hamilton, Red Bull knows they must keep evolving.
When Will Red Bull Decide?
While no timeline has been confirmed, Horner suggested a decision would likely come “mid-season,” allowing the team to properly evaluate performances and market movements.
Conclusion
Christian Horner’s confirmation that Red Bull is actively targeting potential replacements—or re-signing Sergio Perez—adds intrigue to what’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting F1 Streams driver markets in years.
Whether it’s a returning Ricciardo, a rising Tsunoda, a proven Sainz, or even a wildcard like Lawson, Red Bull’s next move could define the team’s next championship run.
