The two seats in the Red Bull Racing team are the most coveted on the Formula 1 grid right now.
After securing their third one-two finish of the season in Japan, Red Bull are already extending their lead over Ferrari and their other rivals in the Constructors’ Championship.
Speaking on Sky Germany, Ralf Schumacher shared who he thinks should be in the car in 2025 and beyond.
It’s hard to see Max Verstappen leaving a team that will almost certainly help him secure his fourth world title this year and make him the favourite for his fifth championship in 2025 before the regulations change.
Internal politics are the main reason why he might move on and his future is closely connected to Helmut Marko and potentially Adrian Newey.
However, it’s the future of Sergio Perez that is much less certain at this stage.
Three podium finishes in the first four races have put him on the front foot when it comes to extending his future beyond this season.
However, Ralf Schumacher has told Red Bull that they have to sign Carlos Sainz right now.
The Spaniard has been sensational this year and is on the search for a new team.
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Ralf Schumacher tells Red Bull to sign Carlos Sainz now
When the chequered flag flew at Suzuka on Sunday, there was a decent wait for a car that wasn’t a Red Bull to cross the line – that wasn’t already lapped.
Despite starting behind Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz was in a commanding position throughout the race to finish third although his teammate’s exceptional tyre management meant Ferrari pulled off an unlikely one-two.
Frederic Vasseur isn’t going to regret his 2025 driver line-up any time soon, but Sainz is making an exceptional case to be in a top car next year.
Lewis Hamilton’s reputation proceeds him and the struggles of the Mercedes team over the past few years may have dimmed his achievements in the minds of some fans.
However, when a seven-time world champion becomes available, you have to take that chance and unfortunately for Sainz, he was the man that was replaced.
But Ralf Schumacher has now said that Red Bull don’t have time to waste in securing Sainz’s future.
He believes they can’t afford for any of their rivals to pick up the £180,000-a-week driver for next year.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
What Christian Horner said about Sainz becoming more and more interesting
Talking about the future of the current champion’s line-up, Schumacher said: “I don’t quite believe that the decision at Red Bull will only be made in the summer.
“Now is precisely the time to strike, now that Sainz is on the market. It has to happen now.
“[Sergio] Perez is the candidate to have to leave the seat. [Fernando] Alonso is also still on the market.
“That’s why Red Bull has to make a decision now.”
Sainz has to win over Christian Horner if he’s going to live up to Schumacher’s prediction and join Red Bull next season.
Previous reports have suggested that Horner is a bigger fan of the Spaniard than Helmut Marko.
He was quick to praise Sainz after his win at the Australian Grand Prix and said on Sky Sports F1: “I have to congratulate Carlos Sainz today after going through surgery.
“What a great performance by him and of course the Ferrari team today.”
He’s leapfrogged the likes of Daniel Ricciardo in the race to replace Perez should they let the Mexican go.
However, the Mexican is still in the driving seat – quite literally – when it comes to being Verstappen’s teammate in 2025.
The post ‘Has to happen now’: Ralf Schumacher tells Red Bull they have to sign £180k-a-week driver immediately appeared first on F1 Oversteer.