It has been reported that Daniel Ricciardo is the most likely candidate to take over for Sergio Perez in the event that he is replaced. This is despite the fact that Red Bull's "Plan A" is to retain Perez on for the remainder of the season.

In the beginning of this year, Perez signed a new two-year deal with the team; yet, his decline in performance had caused concern over his future with Red Bull. yet, Christian Horner reaffirmed after the Belgian Grand Prix that he will continue to be employed by the team following the summer break.

Ricciardo likely to replace Sergio Perez over Liam Lawson

It is understood by PlanetF1.com that Red Bull has an option in Lawson's contract to promote him to a racing seat for 2025, which expires in September. If this option is exercised, Lawson would then be free to explore alternative possibilities with other teams.

With that, the current options for the second VCARB seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda appear to be between Lawson and Ricciardo, but if Red Bull decide to make a change at the ‘senior’ team for 2025, then Formula 1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto believes it would be the 35-year-old who is currently in the box seat to be promoted back to the seat he vacated at the end of 2018.

Should Red Bull decide that after giving Perez more support and several races to prove his worth, the Mexican still isn't showing enough, it is most likely that they will promote either Ricciardo or Lawson into that seat," Barretto said for Formula1.com. "Perez is still not showing enough.

How does the F1 2025 driver market stand right now

Red Bull's Plan A is to keep Perez, so it should be noted that it is their backup plan rather wise. According to sources, Ricciardo would probably get the nod as Lawson moves into the now-spare RB seat alongside Tsunoda.

Beyond the conclusion of the year, Ricciardo's future is still to be resolved; his status at VCARB is said to be unknown should his form falters in the upcoming races. Lawson is waiting in the wings as reserve driver.

Perez, meantime, said he would not be responding to inquiries about his future during the summer break as he came under pressure for his seat following a run of challenging races.

Horner told media including PlanetF1.com in Belgium: "I think that [Perez] is as acutely aware as anybody that we need both cars performing, which is what we have at the beginning of the year, and that's where we need to get back to." If Red Bull is to retain the Constructors' Championship.