Brutal truth Ricciardo can't deny — and what comes next as Red Bull kills promotion dream

He's fifth in the drivers championship in the fastest car, he's yet to beat his teammate in any qualifying session or race and he's putting his team's championship defence at risk, but Sergio Pérez has signed a fresh deal keeping him with Red Bull Racing for at least another two seasons. Sometimes the power of incumbency is just too great to deny. The move will trigger some soul-searching for Daniel Ricciardo, who has been denied the chance to return to Red Bull Racing for at least another two long seasons. It will also spur the next phase of the driver…