With the drivers' title in hand and Dr Helmut Marko admitting the constructors' crown is now all but “impossible” to keep against McLaren F1 or Ferrari, the Red Bull advisor is looking towards 2025.
A crucial element – a competitive teammate to place alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen – will be analyzed by the team after the Abu Dhabi finale.
Some have spotted team boss Christian Horner back at Williams F1 in Las Vegas, reinforcing (or reigniting) rumors linking Sergio Perez's seat to rookie Franco Colapinto.
Liam Lawson, however, would still be the favorite – although Marko says Mexican Perez still thinks he will be retained.
When Marko is told that “No one can imagine that Checo Perez will remain Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull in 2025”Marko replied: “As we said in Vegas, it will be decided after the final in Abu Dhabi, the shareholders will decide with the data that we provide them.”
“In any case, Checo acts as if he is going to drive for us one more year…”
The Austrian has a visibly annoyed tone about this.
“We cannot repeat 2024 in 2025. We need a good driver duo at Red Bull as well as at Racing Bulls.”
This attitude obviously annoys Marko but also Horner. But the Mexican knows he has powerful sponsors behind him. The plan could be to turn RB F1 into a Racing Bulls team (the official name in 2025) that can accommodate him and his sponsors. Racing Bulls, Red Bull, two names that are ultimately very close again and which could satisfy all parties?
Beyond the driver line-up, Marko expects a close fight for the championship next year, given the strength of rival teams McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.
“In Las Vegas, Mercedes not only won, which was a complete surprise, but they really dominated every session.”
“They were just unlucky that we won the world championship, so their good performance was overshadowed.”
Marko admits he is not sure Mercedes will be Red Bull's closest competitor in 2025.
“They need to find consistency. In Las Vegas, the conditions were special due to the low temperatures. Let's wait and see if they perform in the last two races, which is not my opinion. I hope we can win at least one.”
Marko was also asked about Ferrari, which will field Charles Leclerc alongside Lewis Hamilton next year. In Las Vegas, Leclerc finished the race completely furious with his teammate Carlos Sainz, who is leaving for Williams.
“Russell was already more dominant than Hamilton this year,” it's Marko. “In terms of drivers, Ferrari will be stronger next year, although I am curious to see if they will have great harmony in the team.”
