A massive crisis looms for the reigning world champions, despite the team standings suggesting Red Bull remains in a relatively safe spot for now.
Max Verstappen has triumphed in just three of the last seven Grand Prix races, with Red Bull Racing (RBR) sitting third on the points tally since the Florida race. With McLaren racking up 171 points and Mercedes at 157, Red Bull’s 134 points reveal a growing concern for the team.
Ferrari, once a big threat to Red Bull, has sharply declined, scoring just 115 points since Miami. Despite Charles Leclerc’s win in Monaco and his teammate’s third-place finish, Ferrari can’t seem to catch up.
Sergio Perez’s performance has been abysmal, scoring only 15 points in the last six Grand Prix races. Team boss Christian Horner has stopped dismissing Perez’s poor form as a temporary slump. Before the Silverstone race, Horner said Perez’s form was “unsustainable”, emphasizing the need for him to score points.
With Red Bull aiming for a third consecutive Constructors’ Championship, every point matters. The gap between Perez and Verstappen is a pressing issue, with Perez trailing by 137 points. The upcoming races in Hungary and Belgium are crucial for Perez. If he can’t close the gap to within 100 points, Red Bull has the contractual freedom to replace him.
Former driver Robert Doornbos has suggested that Red Bull should activate the performance clauses in Perez’s contract. Doornbos insisted, “Why else would they be there? What we are seeing at the moment is dramatically bad.”
Perez acknowledges the pressure but insists he must focus on the next two weekends. “I know where I stand with my contract. I can’t let it be a distraction. Working together as a team to overcome this difficult period is my priority,” he told the media.
Meanwhile, a test drive for Liam Lawson at Silverstone could influence Red Bull’s decision-making. Perez’s poor qualifying sessions and underperformance have put his position under scrutiny. If Lawson impresses, it may spell trouble for Perez.
Yuki Tsunoda, who recently secured another two-year deal with the Red Bull group, has not been offered a test drive in a Red Bull car. Horner remained vague, saying, “You can never rule anything out. We have multi-year options on him because we believe he’s a talent.” This opens the door for other drivers to step up.
Internal discussions at Red Bull are further complicated by differing opinions and sponsorship deals. Dr. Helmut Marko is pushing for Lawson, but there’s ambivalence over whether Checo or Ricciardo should make way.
The pressure on Perez is immense. His performance in the next two races will determine not only his future with Red Bull but also the team’s prospects in the Constructors’ Championship. Every decision by team management will have far-reaching consequences.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Red Bull Racing. They must weigh Perez’s financial contributions against his on-track performance and the wider implications for their championship campaign. The outcome of the upcoming races will shape the future of both the driver and the team.
Red Bull Racing faces a critical juncture. Perez must improve quickly, or the team may make significant changes to stay competitive.
