In the end, no Formula 1 team decided to change their driver line-up during the summer break. As many as three teams had been considering early alterations. Most notably, Red Bull were mulling the future of Sergio Perez. Perez’s contract, only signed in June, included a break clause that became active if he fell more than 100 points behind Max Verstappen. That, in turn, was a blow to Daniel Ricciardo, who had hoped to return to the team. Remarkably, there was also a risk that Ricciardo would forfeit his spot with the junior outfit, with Liam Lawson applying pressure, but he too will still be o…
