In a season already filled with surprises, the focus on Sergio Perez’s performance with Red Bull continues to raise eyebrows. Despite the team’s decision to keep Perez after the summer break, there’s a growing sense of urgency surrounding his role in the championship fight.
Eddie Jordan, never one to shy away from expressing his candid opinions, sounded a warning bell on the Formula For Success podcast regarding Perez’s future with Red Bull Racing. Although the podcast aired before Red Bull confirmed Perez’s stay for the rest of 2024, Jordan’s insights carry weight. He highlighted the unusual fact that seven different drivers have claimed victory this season, with Max Verstappen now finding formidable competition in Lando Norris instead of his teammate Perez.
Jordan didn’t hesitate to critique Perez’s performance, particularly at the Belgium Grand Prix. According to him, starting on the front row but ending up in eighth—albeit later promoted to seventh due to Russell—simply wasn’t good enough. He expressed disbelief that Red Bull and their team principal, Christian Horner, haven’t yet made a decisive move, especially given Perez’s past qualifying mishaps and the apparent disappointment that followed.
Looking to the future, Jordan suggested Red Bull might need to consider trying out different drivers in Perez’s seat, given the threat to the Constructors’ Championship. He speculated that McLaren and Mercedes, two seasoned teams familiar with championship victories, posed significant competition. Red Bull, he insisted, would not want to jeopardize its chances by maintaining the status quo.
Moreover, while acknowledging the underwhelming performance of Red Bull’s RB20 car this season compared to its rivals, Jordan remained optimistic about engineering solutions to reclaim competitiveness. However, he reiterated that Perez’s issues couldn’t be ignored and might require immediate intervention to protect Red Bull’s standing in the sport.
In sum, Eddie Jordan’s outspoken commentary reminds spectators of the intense pressures within the F1 world, especially for a leading team like Red Bull. As the competition heats up, the decision regarding Sergio Perez’s place in the team could prove pivotal in the ongoing battle for championship glory.
