Ralf Schumacher has spoken out about Sergio Perez’s recent struggles, suggesting Red Bull should reconsider his position.
- Perez’s qualifying crash puts him 16th on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix, dimming his recent promising start.
- Despite a new contract, Perez’s performance has faltered, complicating his future with Red Bull.
- A potential contract clause could lead Red Bull to replace Perez if he’s too far behind teammate Max Verstappen.
- Daniel Ricciardo and reserve driver Liam Lawson are in the mix to replace Perez.
Ralf Schumacher, a former Formula 1 driver, has voiced his opinion that Red Bull should relieve Sergio Perez from his current position following another disappointing qualifying crash. This incident has left Perez starting 16th in the Hungarian Grand Prix, which has dashed what was shaping up to be a promising weekend for him.
Earlier in the year, Perez secured a new two-year contract with Red Bull. However, his recent performances have left him scrambling to hold onto his seat after the summer break. His crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix comes at a particularly bad time, with discussions about Red Bull’s driver lineup looming on the horizon.
The pressure is mounting on Perez, especially with a clause in his contract that allows for his replacement if he finds himself more than 100 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen by the summer break. Currently, Perez trails by 137 points, with only the Hungarian and upcoming Spa races remaining before the deadline.
In light of these challenges, rumors swirl about possible replacements. While Daniel Ricciardo was initially considered, reserve driver Liam Lawson has recently emerged as a strong candidate. “Lawson not only did the test but also did a lot of simulator work,” said Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, adding that Lawson is indeed a “candidate if a candidate is needed.”
Red Bull’s decision is expected to come after the Belgian Grand Prix. Helmut Marko has stated, “We’re sticking to our approach and waiting for the next race. Then we’ll sit down together and see what we’re going to do.” This decision will be pivotal as Red Bull weighs its options going forward.
As Red Bull approaches a crucial decision-making period, Sergio Perez’s future with the team hangs in the balance.
