Helmut Marko has confirmed that Red Bull have approached the management of a driver to join the RB team next season amid doubts over Sergio Perez's future.
Perez signed a new contract with Red Bull this season which takes him into 2025, but there have been growing concerns over his performance and inability to match Max Verstappen.
He hasn't finished higher than sixth since the Chinese Grand Prix in April, though was involved in a last-lap crash while battling with Carlos Sainz for third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
At his home race in Mexico, Perez qualified in 18th place out of 20 drivers, and complained about braking issues with his Red Bull.
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The team have already confirmed that current RB driver Yuki Tsunoda will take part in a tyre test in the Red Bull in Abu Dhabi once the season is over, while team-mate Liam Lawson is also being evaluated for a potential promotion after replacing Daniel Ricciardo.
And Marko has appeared to provide the clearest indication yet that Red Bull are actively exploring options to replace Perez for 2025.
Speaking during the Mexico Grand Prix weekend, the Austrian - who is an advisor to the racing team employed by their parent company - revealed that Red Bull opened talks with the management of current Williams driver Franco Colapinto.
Colapinto stepped up into a race seat for the Italian Grand Prix after Williams dropped Logan Sargeant, and has impressed with his four races for the team.
The Argentinian, however, will not drive for Williams in 2025 as the team have Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz under contract.
Marko explained the talks that have already occurred - but added that it was unlikely that Colapinto would be an option due to his contractual situation at Williams.
He said (via Sky Italia): "In Formula 1, everyone talks to everyone.
"The problem with him [Colapinto] is that he has a long-term contract with Williams.
"James Vowles [Williams team principal] has offered to loan him to a rival team. But that is not interesting for any team.
"We are also in a good position with our own junior drivers. We are not going to train anyone for another team."
An in-house option for Red Bull would be to promote Isack Hadjar, who is impressing in F2 with Campos Racing and is Red Bull and RB's reserve driver.
Since 2009, Perez is the only Red Bull driver to be given a race seat with the team despite not previously being part of their academy.
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko
Ryan Smart