Sergio Perez thought his Formula One career was over when he was let go from Racing Point to make way for Sebastian Vettel at the end of the 2020 season. But just when it seemed like curtains, Red Bull Racing threw him a lifeline, signing him up to race alongside Max Verstappen. It seemed like a dream come true, but the reality has been anything but smooth.
Perez’s initial season with Red Bull was a roller coaster. While Verstappen battled Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton down to the last lap of the season for the championship, Perez struggled to keep pace. Although Verstappen secured his first F1 title, Perez’s underwhelming performance cost the team the constructors’ championship. He scored 190 points compared to Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas at 226, which made the difference in the team standings.
Fast forward to 2022, and Red Bull nailed the new car design regulations, with Verstappen clinching the drivers’ title by a massive 146 points. Perez finished third behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and Red Bull easily won the constructors’ championship. It seemed like the Mexican driver had found his groove.
However, 2023 has told a different story. While Perez started the season strong, his performance has dramatically slumped in recent races. Over the last five Grands Prix, Perez has collected just 15 points compared to Verstappen’s 101. Red Bull, once dominating the constructors’ standings, is now trailing behind both Mercedes and McLaren in points accumulated since Miami.
Sky F1 presenter Naomi Schiff pointed out that Perez’s slump this year is even worse than last season. In 2023, Perez only failed to finish in the top six three times. This year, he’s already missed the top six in five of the last six races. Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship has dwindled from 199 points to just 64, leading to intense scrutiny.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was put on the spot by Sky F1’s Simon Lazenby regarding Perez’s future. While initially defensive, Horner admitted that re-signing Perez after just five races this year might have been premature. The team has performance clauses in Perez’s contract that are not being met, and rumors are swirling about Daniel Ricciardo possibly stepping in to replace him before the summer break.
Perez’s situation has not been helped by recent events. He sat out FP1 in Silverstone to make way for a young driver, per FIA regulations. During a rainy FP2, he managed a decent P3 behind two McLarens but must aim for a top ten shootout slot in qualifying to avoid more harsh media scrutiny.
Horner, however, still holds some hope for Perez. He mentioned that Perez is working hard on simulations to understand and improve his current form. “What we’ve constantly seen with him is that resilience to bounce back. We’re hoping to see that very soon,” said Horner, offering a glimmer of optimism.
But with the field closing in on Red Bull’s advantage, and Max Verstappen winning only three of the last six races, the team title is far from guaranteed. Paddock rumors suggest that Daniel Ricciardo’s resurgence might see him replacing Perez. As if Red Bull didn’t have enough on their plate, McLaren boss Zak Brown lambasted the team’s behavior following a collision between Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix, adding fuel to the fire.
Sergio Perez’s journey with Red Bull Racing has been a tumultuous one, marked by highs and lows. As the pressure mounts, only time will tell if Perez can bounce back and secure his seat or if a change is imminent. One thing’s for sure: there are no dull moments in Formula One.
