Max Verstappen casts doubt on Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull as three-time world champion says he doesn't know who will partner him next year

Max Verstappen has formed uncertainty connected Sergio Perez’s early astatine Red Bull, saying he doesn’t cognize who will partner him adjacent year.

The Mexican, 33, is struggling for shape and successful threat of losing 2nd spot successful nan drivers’ title to Lewis Hamilton. 

His advantage is simply a diminishing 20 points pinch 3 rounds remaining, starting pinch this weekend’s sprint format successful Sao Paulo.

While Red Bull are keen to fto Perez beryllium himself, they are besides looking astatine reserve options successful lawsuit he flunks his reprieve. Losing retired to Hamilton would beryllium a superior curse connected his chances of survival.

The astir disposable replacement is Daniel Ricciardo, nan 34-year erstwhile Red Bull man who impressed successful Mexico City past weekend, successful opposition to Perez, who collapsed disconnected astatine nan first area successful a infinitesimal of over-exuberance.

With Ricciardo astatine Red Bull’s inferior squad AlphaTauri, nan switch could beryllium made successful a trice pinch Perez swapping places. Both person contracts successful spot for adjacent season.

But speaking astatine Interlagos, Verstappen seemed to propose nary determination has yet been taken ‘I ever had a awesome narration pinch Daniel (in 5 years together anterior to Ricciardo’s move to Renault successful 2019) and I person a awesome narration pinch Sergio truthful it is unfair for maine to opportunity who I would for illustration to person arsenic a team-mate.

‘It is not up to maine to make these decisions. If it is Sergio adjacent year, past great. It if is Daniel, past we will besides get on good and we will person a awesome time. F1 tin beryllium a reliable sport, but possibly besides thing happens. We will see.’

Ricciardo played down nan imminence of a switch, saying he had not spoken to Red Bull. ‘All nan worldly astir my statement has been related to AlphaTauri, said nan Australian. ‘Having a play for illustration Mexico was bully for nan soul. The squad jumped 2 places successful nan constructors successful 2 weekends, which was huge. That creates a very happy atmosphere. I will support charging on.’