Horner details what Ricciardo must do to replace Perez

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has revealed what Daniel Ricciardo must do to displace Sergio Perez in the F1 team.

Ricciardo returned to the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix with AlphaTauri, replacing Nyck de Vries and with the aim of eventually replacing Perez alongside Max Verstappen in the seat he left at the end of 2018.

Perez is currently signed to a two-year contract, signed just before his victory at the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, due to expire at the end of the 2024 season.

"It's always been the plan [to have Perez in the car]," Horner told Formula.hu.

"He signed an agreement and it was a two-year agreement, so that is our plan.

"[Ricciardo] needs to excel. The seat is Checo's and 2025 is a long way away.

"We want to field the best two drivers we can for 2025."

Horner on Ricciardo

Ricciardo made a good first impression by out-qualifying Yuki Tsunoda, taking 13th on the grid.

"He's done a great job, and I think getting into the team that is 10th in the championship at the moment, a very foreign environment with seven out of the seat, I thought that was a very solid mature performance from him," Horner told Sky Sports F1.

"The team will really benefit from his experience and knowledge and you can see he's enjoying it which is the most important thing.

"With a Daniel that is enjoying driving, you're going to get more from him."