As the Formula One season paused for the summer break after the Belgian Grand Prix, questions about Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull intensified. On the F1 Nation podcast, Damon Hill suggested Max Verstappen was putting pressure on Red Bull to replace Perez. The Monday following the Belgian Grand Prix saw Red Bull’s senior team members holding crucial discussions about Perez’s position.
Christian Horner reassured the team that there wouldn’t be changes to the driver line-up for the rest of the season. However, Perez remains at risk. His significant points deficit to Verstappen allows Red Bull to activate a break clause in his new contract if his performance doesn’t improve.
Verstappen’s actions, like leaving the Belgian GP circuit with Daniel Ricciardo, have fueled speculation about potential replacements. Ricciardo and Liam Lawson are reportedly in the mix for Perez’s seat. Hill noted that Verstappen’s influence could play a crucial role in any future decisions regarding Perez’s position.
Perez’s tenure at Red Bull has been fraught with challenges. The Mexican driver voiced concerns about perceived unfair treatment and intense media scrutiny. Perez highlighted the disparity, noting other drivers have had similar bad races, but it’s more noticeable for Red Bull drivers. “At Red Bull, there’s always a lot of talk in the media, you are closely scrutinized,” he said.
Despite this scrutiny, Perez remains unfazed, pointing out that dealing with pressure has been constant throughout his career. “If I didn’t win a race, I didn’t know if I could win the next one. I think I’ve been under a lot of pressure throughout my career, so it’s no different in Formula 1,” Perez explained.
Perez finished seventh in the Belgian Grand Prix after starting second on the grid. This performance drew criticism from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who said Perez “completely collapsed” during the race. Perez blamed his poor performance on issues with his car, the RB20, which has seen a number of upgrades, some of which have not worked as intended.
Red Bull may reverse some of these upgrades to help Perez improve. Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm mentioned on The Race podcast that getting the car back to a state where Perez was comfortable could boost his performance. “The theory is that if Perez can maximize the car’s potential before the latest upgrades, he will perform better,” Mitchell-Malm explained.
Despite the criticism, Perez remains hopeful. He emphasized the unpredictable nature of Formula One, where fortunes can change dramatically from one race to the next. “There’s always a chance, that’s the beauty of this sport,” Perez said, adding, “You’re only as good as your last race. So I’m really working on getting my season back on track.”
Perez’s strategy is to focus on the remaining races of the season, aiming for strong performances. “We will just remember where I ended up after Abu Dhabi. So if I can have a few more good races and get my championship back on track, my season could be very different,” he explained.
Critics like Christian Danner described Perez’s performance as “an absolute disaster.” Danner suggested that if Perez’s form doesn’t improve, he could threaten Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull holds a 42-point lead over McLaren, a margin that could narrow if Perez’s performances don’t improve.
In the Drivers’ Championship, Perez sits in seventh place, a massive 146 points behind leader Max Verstappen. Despite the tough season, Perez remains determined to prove his worth and finish on a high note. With ten races remaining, the final reckoning will come in Abu Dhabi, where Perez hopes to rewrite his season’s story.
Sergio Perez’s journey with Red Bull this season has been tumultuous. Despite the criticism and pressure, he remains determined to finish strong. The upcoming races will be crucial for Perez as he aims to secure his future with Red Bull. The final chapter of his season will unfold in Abu Dhabi, where he hopes to turn things around.
