Red Bull must look to sign Valtteri Bottas to replace Sergio Perez: Jack Plooij

F1 reporter Jack Plooij has suggested that Valtteri Bottas should replace Sergio Perez next season.

Perez’s first season at Red Bull has been solid. He has been on the podium, and even took a stunning victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Given how assured he has looked, it is safe to say the Red Bull second seat curse seems to be over.

However, Plooij thinks that isn’t the case. He believes that Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas would be the perfect teammate for Max Verstappen. He has also urged Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko to consider the shock signing.

Speaking to Motorsport, Plooij revealed why he thinks what he thinks. He said he felt Checo has had a lacklustre first half to the season, and revealed that Bottas, for all his bad luck and poor decisions, has had a better one.

Red Bull 'confident' prediction which may force Mercedes to axe Valtteri  Bottas | F1 | Sport | Express.co.uk
Plooij suggests Valtteri Bottas (left) could replace Sergio Perez (right) at Red Bull. Source: express.co.uk

“Maybe they put Bottas next to Verstappen, no idea, but I don’t think Helmut Marko is ret***ed.” Plooij said.

“He’s not crazy, he just keeps looking like: ‘Who do we need besides Max?’ The ideal second driver is Valtteri Bottas after all. Then why wouldn’t you get it?” he suggested.

Closed the doors

Although it is an outlandish suggestion, it is distinctly possible. Bottas is out of contract at the end of the season. The Finnish driver is yet to receive a contract extension, and is likely to be looking for a new team if he doesn’t re-sign with Mercedes. If Red Bull indeed go for Bottas, it would be one of the biggest shocks in recent memory.

Those fans who are salivating at the potential of Bottas to Red Bull, they should not jump to conclusions. Helmut Marko has slammed any rumours of the Number 77 driver coming to the Milton-Keynes outfit.

“Bottas doesn’t have to call us. There’s no room,” Marko said. “I can only imagine a swap with Russell. I think Williams will be the only option for him.”

With the second half of the season to go, Perez will be looking to improve on his already solid season. Checo will want to silence anyone who still doubts him, and will want that Red Bull seat for the near future.

Read more: Helmut Marko has worrying news for Sergio Perez following Hungarian GP

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