I don't think he is in any danger of getting kicked mid season. Red Bull probably wants the full sweep and by replacing Perez mid season it's just going to be more difficult to be 1&2 in driver standings. There is an argument he won't be the driver next season but this one he is safe.

Yeah I see this as a way to see if they can give Ric the spot next year. Kind of weird thoguh since the AT is pretty shitty this year. It's either that or they want to punish Ric even more for leaving in the first place and just destroy him.

Danny could have a shot, may he be noticeably quicker than Yuki.

Can definitely see this as a comparison test for Perez’s seat. Now you can see whose better in the same machinery. Has some simulator work brought Dani back to old form, can he wrestle with the straddling alpha, or will yuki show he has what it takes?? Also yuki now has 1.5 seasons in this car against Daniel’s year in a McLaren and some simulator work on the Redbull. If true interested to see how it all plays out, this will either be the last nail in Daniel’s racing career’s coffin or the first stepping stone to his return