Helmut Marko says he can ‘imagine’ a younger driver partnering Max Verstappen next season in a hint that Red Bull could axe Sergio Perez. Speculation has mounted over the Mexican’s future amid a tough year in Formula One.

Perez has struggled in the RB20 and has not featured on an F1 podium since the Chinese Grand Prix in April. This summer, he signed a new contract until the end of next season but there has remained a sense that he could depart 12 months before that deal is up.

Red Bull adviser Marko has been outspoken during some of Perez’s toughest times as Verstappen’s partner. The Austrian has now claimed that he envisages a junior driver acting as No 2 to the three-time world champion next year.

Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have been linked with the seat. Both of those drivers will partner each other at VCARB for the final six races of the campaign.

"I can very well imagine that a junior driver will drive alongside Max,” Marko told F1 Insider.

"Tsunoda is a candidate to drive alongside Max in 2025. The remaining races of this season will decide what our driver pairings will look like for next year."

Marko pointed out that Red Bull have tended to offer young drivers a chance in F1. Perez will turn 35 before the 2025 season, while Verstappen is now 27.

"We started with the philosophy of giving young drivers a chance in Formula One," Marko continued. "Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are just three examples. The others are now following this philosophy.

“Mercedes is giving Kimi Antonelli a chance, Haas Oliver Bearman, Williams Franco Colapinto and it seems that, fortunately, Audi is now seriously considering the young Mick Schumacher."

Christian Horner has often defended Perez but hinted at a departure earlier this month, pointing out that Daniel Ricciardo was brought back to VCARB last year in case the six-time race winner underperformed. Lawson has now been brought into VCARB, replacing Ricciardo, in a sign that the New Zealander is next in line to take Perez’s seat.

Speaking to the F1 Nations podcast, Horner said: “All the drivers are under pressure to deliver but the reason why ­Daniel was in that car was to get himself back into a position to ultimately be there to pick up the pieces if Checo (Perez) didn’t deliver.

“We need answers for the ­bigger picture in terms of drivers. It’s the perfect opportunity to line Liam up alongside Yuki, to see how he performs over the remaining six Grands Prix.”