An F1 journalist has proposed a wild theory regarding who should replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull.
Perez has failed to win a race this term and sits eighth in the world championship, the last driver of the top four teams.
Indeed, the Mexican, who has not finished higher than sixth in 15 races said last month: “I know I've had a terrible season. It started really well, but it's been really, really difficult.”
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With Perez likely to be dropped by Red Bull after next month’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, F1 broadcaster Jennie Gow has suggested the prospect of
Valtteri Bottas racing for Red Bull is not as “totally weird” as it sounds.
Bottas is currently set to be without a seat for the F1 2025 season after Audi F1 announced this week that Gabriel Bortoleto will become Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate.
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While the 10-time race winner has been linked with a reserve role with Mercedes, Gow has claimed that Bottas would be the ideal solution to Red Bull’s driver dilemma.
Appearing on The Fast and Curious podcast she said: “If I said the words to you, ‘Valtteri Bottas joins Red Bull’, would you find that totally weird?
“Just say Red Bull were looking for a stop gap for that second seat.
“If you looked at second drivers, someone who would just sit in that seat, do what they’ve been asked to do.
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“He’s fast, he plays the team game very well. If they were looking for a stop gap, so they didn’t expose their younger drivers to too much too soon, I would say that would be a good fit.
“We know Carlos Sainz can’t go [to Red Bull], he’s already signed with Williams and the dads [Jos Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Sr] don’t get on.
“So you can’t put him in that seat, but someone like a Valtteri Bottas [could work].”
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While conceding that the move is unlikely to materialise, she added: “I don’t know. I don’t think so.
“I don’t think anyone’s [considered it], but all of a sudden I was like: ‘Have I come up with something?’ It’s genius.”
Chris Byfield