Jolyon Palmer thinks Red Bull are now keeping an eye on ‘charismatic’ F1 driver

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Jolyon Palmer has suggested that Red Bull Racing are still keeping a very close eye on Daniel Ricciardo after a fantastic performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Palmer was speaking on the Chequered Flag Podcast as the Australian recorded his best finish of the season.

It’s been a very turbulent 2023 for Daniel Ricciardo.

He lost his seat at McLaren to fellow countryman Oscar Piastri after a difficult season in papaya.

Red Bull recognised his value and brought him in as their test driver for the season having won seven races with the team during five years with the Austrian outfit.

Drivers within the Red Bull setup know they don’t have long to impress and Nyck de Vries learned this all too quickly.

He completed half the campaign without scoring a point before being dropped and Ricciardo being handed his chance.

The 34-year-old only managed to complete two races before picking up a hand injury that allowed Liam Lawson to impress in his place.

However, Ricciardo is back now and Jolyon Palmer believes his latest drive will have Red Bull paying serious attention.

Off the back of a phenomenal race in Mexico, Sergio Perez might be feeling under increasing pressure.

Palmer says Red Bull are keeping an eye on Ricciardo

Jolyon Palmer praised Daniel Ricciardo and mentioned his employer would be very happy with the result.

He was asked if that meant AlphaTauri or Christian Horner and Red Bull and said: “The two, the two.

“They’re kind of two different entities, but one and the same boss. It’s Helmut Marko and Christian Horner whichever one you choose or both.

“He’s a tough man to please Helmut but he would have been pleased with Daniel Ricciardo.

“And I think it’s Christian Horner really it’s his decision to bring Ricciardo back, he’s got a lot of time for Daniel, seven-time Grand Prix winner with Red Bull, he won one with McLaren as well.

“He’s a charismatic guy to have around, it’s in their interest for him to be back on good form, particularly with [Sergio] Perez having a tough day again today.

“That’s why he’s back, to try and go back into the Red Bull, so of course they’re keeping an eye on him.”

Ricciardo would love to be a Red Bull driver again and as Palmer said, Horner is a huge fan of the Australian.

Perez lamented his outing at his home Grand Prix and now has three weekends left to end the season on a high.

Given the ruthless nature of the Red Bull set-up, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore if Perez was let go before the 2024 season began.