F1 News: Sergio Perez Insists He Is Not Threatened By Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull Return
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has emphasised his confidence in his abilities and his position on the team despite the recent acquisition of Daniel Ricciardo as the third driver.
The Red Bull Racing team is known for its high expectations and competitiveness, and Perez knows that in order to secure his seat, he must perform at his best, regardless of the presence of another highly skilled and experienced driver like Ricciardo.
When asked about the addition of Ricciardo to the team and the possibility of him taking over Perez's seat after the RB19 launch event, Perez responded by saying:
"No, when you are at the Red Bull Racing you had better perform at your best.
"It doesn't matter if Daniel is here or not, Red Bull can pick pretty much any driver they want from the grid."
Perez's response highlights the pressure that comes with being a Red Bull driver, but also his unwavering confidence in his abilities.
Ricciardo's role with the Red Bull team will be primarily focused on simulation work and demonstration runs. The team does not currently have any plans for test days or free practice sessions, which gives Perez the opportunity to prove himself without having to worry about the competition within the team.
The Mexican driver believes that having Ricciardo as part of the team will only benefit the team's performance in the coming season, due to his wealth of experience and knowledge of the sport. Perez added:
"I think we're very fortunate to have Daniel, given the level of experience that he has and to be able to have him back at the factory with the engineers.
"He really knows when we are talking about the car, he really understands what we're talking about.
"So I think it's right to have someone like him around and, especially on weekends, he will be a massive help."