Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner has given the strongest indication yet that the current line-up within his team will remain unchanged for the 2016 Formula 1 season.
Daniel Ricciardo had been linked to a move to the Scuderia Ferrari outfit, but Kimi Raikkonen’s announcement that he would be remaining at the Italian team closed that door for the Australian, with Ricciardo now set to stay with Red Bull to where he is still under contract.
Question marks had been raised over team-mate Daniil Kvyat’s promotion to Red Bull after just one season with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team, but the Russian driver’s improved form, including a maiden podium at the Hungaroring has quashed those doubts.
Kvyat leapfrogged ahead of Ricciardo in the Drivers’ Championship in Belgium after driving a strong race to fourth, with Ricciardo retiring due to a mechanical issue.
“I don’t see any reason to change it,” said Horner. “We don’t have any rush to make a decision, both the drivers are on long-term contracts, but it’s a successful partnership and it’s working well.”
The lack of change at Red Bull will probably mean the Scuderia Toro Rosso pairing of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr will remain the same as well, with both drivers having been praised highly by both Red Bull and Toro Rosso personnel.