Red Bull Racing is facing challenges with Sergio Perez’s recent slump, casting doubts on his future with the team.
- Perez’s performance issues started despite signing a new multi-year deal earlier this year.
- The British Grand Prix highlighted Perez’s struggles, finishing two laps behind in tricky conditions.
- Rumors of a possible mid-season driver swap at Red Bull are gaining traction.
- Christian Horner acknowledges the urgency for improved results to maintain Red Bull’s lead in the championship.
Sergio Perez’s current situation at Red Bull Racing is under the spotlight as his performance continues to wane. Despite securing a multi-year extension with Red Bull before the Canadian Grand Prix, Perez has faced a significant downturn in results. This downturn echoes a similar slump from last season, and the lack of podium finishes since April’s Chinese Grand Prix is particularly concerning.
The disappointment was further amplified at the British Grand Prix, where Perez experienced his third Q1 exit in the last five races. He ended the race two laps down, troubled by the variable weather. With Red Bull not enjoying the previous year’s dominance, Perez’s struggles could jeopardize their standing in the Constructors’ Championship. Although their lead over Ferrari increased to 71 points, McLaren is closing in, now only 78 points away, sparking speculation about potential changes within the team.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has discussed the critical importance of upcoming races for Perez. There’s a reported clause in Perez’s contract that could allow for a change if his deficit to teammate Max Verstappen exceeds 100 points, a gap currently standing at 137. Horner emphasized the necessity of strong results, noting, “All the races are crucial…we can’t just rely on one car, so we desperately need Checo to start scoring good points again.”
Horner suggests that a collaborative approach with Perez is essential to address these challenges, acknowledging the known capability of Perez that makes this slump “frustrating.” He expressed optimism about working with Perez, stating, “We know what he’s capable of, that’s the frustrating element. But, we’ll sit down after this race and look at what we need to do to the last two races before the summer break.”
Amidst this backdrop, talks about Perez’s future with Red Bull persist, compounded by reports of alternatives like Franco Colapinto potentially joining the team. The focus remains on the need for Perez to rediscover his form and contribute significantly to the team’s ambitions as they approach critical points in the season.
Amid mounting speculation, Red Bull is focused on helping Perez return to form to solidify their championship aspirations.
