The age of Red Bull’s𝔍 next driver will be taken into account, Helmut Marko has hinted.

Although there have been wobbles about Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull after the 💛revelation that he could quit via a contractual clause if Marko also leaves, he has reaffirmed his loyalty.

Verstappen is contracted until 2028 but teammate Sergio Perez’s deal will expire🦹 at the end of this season.

Perez has started the season well amid huge pressure from rival driveဣrs ๊who covet his seat.

"Sergio is in a ve🥃ry good position at the moment," Marko said to Sky Germany ahead of the Austr🍎alian Grand Prix.

"The question of who should replace Perez doesn't really ar❀ise.

"But it's about the future. Perez is no longer the youngest, nor is Daniel Ric𒊎ciardo.

“And if you then take other aspects into account, another driver could ♈certainly be included in this procesꦰs."

Perez and RB driver Ricciardo are bo🌼th 34, among the elder statesmen of the current F1 grid.

Ricciardo entered 2024 hoping to prove h﷽is worth in the RB to then jump into the Red Bull next year, but his form has tailed off since⛄ his impressive comeback with AlphaTauri last year.

Red Bull ju🌌nior Liam Lawson, aged 22, was mentioned to Marko.

"He has to sit in the car first and prove himse💯lf,” Marko said.

“But what he showed in his appearances [in 2ꦜ023] was very promi💃sing."

Lawson deputised with great aplomb for t♛he injured Ricciardo for AlphaTauri l𒊎ast year.

The movement behind yo♓ung drꩵivers has increased after Ollie Bearman’s fruitful Ferrari debut, and the hype around Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

But Red Bull could also seek Alex Albon or Carlos Sainz,﷽ who are boඣth in their 20s, if they opt to get rid of Perez next year.