RED BULL TARGET TWO "INTERESTING" F1 STARS AS FATHER OF ONE TOLD "HE HAS TO COME TO US"

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri may have committed their immediate futures to McLaren - but Red Bull still see both as "interesting" candidates for their own seats.

Piastri enjoyed a stellar debut season last year and McLaren moved quickly to tie him down until the end of 2026. And Norris penned fresh terms ahead of this campaign, convinced he can win races with the Woking-based squad.

Both have been on Red Bull's radar in the past, particularly the Briton who was, until he re-signed with McLaren, the top candidate to replace Sergio Perez. The Mexican's contract expires at the end of this season and the champions will consider all their options for the seat alongside Max Verstappen.

Neither are now in real contention for a switch to Red Bull for 2025. But adviser Helmut Marko, who has a significant say in the team's driver decisions, has made it clear he will continue to keep a close eye on both.

Telling Austria's Servus TV that Norris is "certainly in our focus", the 80-year-old said: "His father always jokes that Lando won't celebrate his first Grand Prix victory until Max retires. I told him that he had to come to us, then he would definitely go faster."

He did, however, go on to admit: "Norris has at least a contract until 2026, so he is not an option in the short term, nor is Oscar Piastri. But both drivers are certainly interesting for us in the future."

Perez came into the season with his future under intense scrutiny but has started the campaign fairly well. Team principal Christian Horner has said several times in recent weeks that the seat is the Mexican's to lose, and Marko echoed that as he praised the 34-year-old.

Marko said: "It's clear that Checo is having his best season since he's been with us. If he maintains this performance, as he did in qualifying in Japan, then he will surely be the best option for Red Bull in 2025."

If Red Bull do decide to make a change, an external candidate may be required. Daniel Ricciardo was seen as the go-to choice before the season began but his form with sister team RB has been below the required standard and he has yet to score a single point so far.

Team-mate Yuki Tsunoda has been out-performing the Aussie and, if Red Bull decide to promote from within, the Japanese racer looks to be the top candidate for now. Red Bull don't plan to replace Ricciardo any time soon but, unless his form improves, they will surely turn to reserve driver Liam Lawson who is waiting patiently for his next taste of F1 action.

2024-04-23T11:15:49Z dg43tfdfdgfd