‘It’s not enough’: Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso deny Red Bull talks

Daniel Ricciardo has spoken about his rumoured links to the second seat at Red Bull as pressure continues to mount on Sergio Perez.

Daniel Ricciardo has responded to rumours he’s in line to usurp Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull as speculation continues to swirl about the Mexican driver’s future in Formula One.

Red Bull have had another stellar season and with three races left, have already wrapped up the constructor’s championship with almost double the points of the second placed Mercedes, while Max Verstappen has claiming the driver’s championship for the third time.

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So dominant a season, Verstappen is currently on 491 points, more than double the second placed Perez, who is on 240.

But speculation has been rife that Red Bull are considering moving Perez on with Ricciardo and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso being linked to the seat.

Red Bull have denied with varying amounts of conviction throughout the season, even as Perez’s performances have begun to drift.

In the last seven races, Perez has just one podium — a second place in Italy — as well as two DNFs including last weekend at his home Grand Prix where he crashed out on turn one.

There’s been plenty of speculation that Red Bull have given Perez an ultimatum to improve his performance or get the sack, which of course the team have denied.

It’s been a tough time for Sergio. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

On the other side of the equation, Ricciardo has impressed since his mid-season elevation from reserve driver to a seat at AlphaTauri, despite the car being labelled a “dump truck”.

Although they’re playing at the other end of the field, Ricciardo’s seventh placed finish at the Mexican Grand Prix gave him six points and elevated AlphaTauri from last to eighth on the constructor’s championship.

The prize money difference going from 10th to eighth is a staggering $US20m ($A32m) for the constructor at year’s end.

But despite his performances proving he’s still got it, Ricciardo revealed that he’d not had talks with Red Bull — at least not yet.

“I haven’t (spoken to Red Bull about replacing Perez). Obviously all the stuff around my contract next year has been related to AlphaTauri,” Ricciardo said.

“So that’s honestly as far as that goes.

“For me personally, having a weekend like Mexico is just definitely good for the soul.

“And also for the team, you know. I haven’t been here long, but for them to be tenth in the constructors’ and to jump two places in the space of two weekends was huge.

“So that kind of creates a very happy atmosphere around everyone. Kind of happy doing that and try to just keep charging on where I am.”

Always with a smile Danny Ricc! Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

But F1 fans will know things can change very quickly in Formula One and it’s no doubt that if Red Bull did want to move on from Perez, it wouldn’t take Ricciardo long to jump at the opportunity.

However, the 34-year-old Aussie also knows the old adage is true — you’re only as good as your last race.

“Obviously (in) this sport you’ve got to kind of keep backing it up,” Ricciardo said.

“It’s nice to have a good weekend, but to just have one, in my mind, it’s not enough.

“But, of course for me, to have a strong weekend from start to finish (in Mexico) I think spoke something. It was something that I have struggled with the last year or two – didn’t have many weekends like that.

“This year was just about me rebuilding myself again and just trying to find … that old form or that old me. So Mexico felt a lot like that.”

The rumour was the talk of the paddock at the Brazilian Grand Prix as Alonso had a furious response to the speculation that he was firming to move to the world champion team.

The 42-year-old dismissed the speculation as “the normal paddock rumours from people who try to make fun of it and gain some followers (on social media),” before warning “I will make sure there are consequences.”

When asked to elaborate, the Spaniard was advised by a team representative not to go any further.

Verstappen was also questioned about the rumours and was asked if he had a preference of teammate for next year.

C’mon Max, you know you want to get back together. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

“I always had a great relationship with Daniel, when (we) were teammates, when of course we weren’t,” Verstappen said.

“But at the same time I also have a great relationship with Checo and I find it a bit unfair to now sit here and say who I would prefer as a teammate or whatever.

“They have been great teammates and it’s not up to me at the end of the day to make these kinds of decisions because I’m very focused on my own performance.

“If it’s Checo next year, then great. I have a great working relationship with him, but also personally, I think he’s a great guy.

“And if it’s Daniel, then also we will get along fine and we have a great time. But, yeah, F1 can be a tough sport and you’re asking these kinds of these questions, but maybe also nothing happens right? So, we’ll see.”

With AFP