Max Verstappen's Instagram post with Daniel Ricciardo sends rumor mill into overdrive over Australian's potential Red Bull return

Max Verstappen's recent Instagram post has fueled rumors about Daniel Ricciardo potentially returning to Red Bull. Following an underwhelming performance by Sergio Perez at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, paddock chatters suggested that the Austrian team could replace him with Ricciardo, and now, Verstappen's post with him has spiced things up further.

The video on Instagram showed Verstappen and Ricciardo sitting side-by-side and showing thumbs up to the viewers. The video titled as, "Thank you Spa, wishing you all a lovely summer break," was taken following the conclusion of the Belgian GP race.

Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo have been linked with a rumored swap move at Red Bull for a long time now. With the Mexican underperforming and the Australian showcasing his brilliance, there have been rumors about Red Bull considering swapping them and bringing the Honey Badger to partner Verstappen.

Ricciardo last raced for the Milton-Keynes-based team in 2018 before he moved to Renault. However, he returned to the Austrian stable in 2023 as a reserve driver following a hiatus, after McLaren sacked him at the end of 2022.

Alpha Tauri then brought in Ricciardo to drive alongside Yuki Tsunoda that year after parting ways with Nyck de Vries. He has been racing for them since then and has a full-time contract till the end of 2024.

However, Perez's failure to justify his contract extension has put his future in jeopardy as he is now at risk of being replaced by Ricciardo. Interestingly, this is something Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is reportedly in support of.

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Red Bull boss reportedly backing Daniel Ricciardo to replace Sergio Perez

Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo at F1 Grand Prix of Australia (Image via Getty)

According to a recent report by Motorsport.com, Christian Horner is backing Daniel Ricciardo to return to Red Bull as Sergio Perez's dismal run continues. The Honey Badger could return to take his seat alongside his former teammate Max Verstappen after the summer break.

Despite starting the season incredibly and claiming three podiums in the first four races, Perez has endured a mighty fall from grace. The Mexican driver is the only winless driver from the big four teams this season, and hasn't claimed a podium since May.

Even though he has a two-year contract with him till the end of 2025, the clauses in the contract do not provide him immunity. According to them, Perez must stay in P5 in the Drivers' Championship and within 100 points of Max Verstappen by the summer break.

However, Perez is currently in P7 of the Championship with 131 points, and is 146 points behind his teammate. This has put him at risk of being removed from his Red Bull seat, and it will be interesting to see what course of action the team takes.