REPORTS: Red Bull ‘Evaluating’ Academy Juniors to Partner Max Verstappen Next F1 Season

We have reached the halfway mark of the Formula One season, and teams are already looking at driver options for 2022. One such team is Red Bull who aren’t satisfied with Sergio Perez and are looking to get in a junior driver to partner Max Verstappen next season.

Team advisor to the Milton-Keynes-based outfit, Dr. Helmut Marko has stated that they might be looking to replace their Mexican driver with someone from their junior ranks for the 2022 season.

Red Bull aims to bring a junior driver to partner along with Max Verstappen

Perez joined the team at the start of the season and has registered two podiums, which included a win at Azerbaijan. However, Marko still feels that junior driver from the Red Bull ranks will do well with their Dutch driver.

Speaking to an Italian journalist, Giorgio Terruzzi, who had a private talk with the Austria boss who stated he was “disappointed” with Perez

As quoted by NextGenAuto. com, Marko said, “What I can tell you is that there are a few options, we are considering them, but I don’t want to name names.”

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko and Renault Sport F1 Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul talk on the grid before the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Many wonder, who can find themselves at Red Bull next to Verstappen next season. According to Soy Motor, Juri Vips and Liam Lawson are considered one of the candidates if Perez parts ways with Milton-Keynes based outfit in 2022.

Vips and Lawson are currently fighting in the F2 championship, with Vips in fifth place with eighty-five points in the standings. While Lawson finds himself in eighth place with fifty-eight points. Both are considered to be talented and are highly regarded by Red Bull.

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Is Perez able to match Max this season?

The Mexican joined the Raging Bulls with a lot of potential and was tipped to form a strong partnership with Verstappen. The 23-year-old has had five wins under his belt so far this season, while Perez only managed to pick up one.

Additionally, the Dutch driver has more podiums than his Mexican teammate. Hence, it is no surprise that Marko is looking elsewhere to find a potential driver to fill in next to Verstappen for 2022.

Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 20, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the race with third placed Red Bull’s Sergio Perez Pool via REUTERS/Nicolas Tucat

However, the second half of the season is yet to kick off. Can Perez step up his game, and bring in more podiums and potential wins for the Milton-Keynes-based outfit? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Read More: Possible Options for Red Bull F1 to Consider as Perez’s Replacement – Bottas, Gasly & More

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