“How do you solve a problem like Perez?” is the burning question at Red Bull Racing. At Silverstone, Sergio Perez failed to make it past the first qualifying and ended the race in P17, finishing two laps behind the winner.
Red Bull Racing is in a tight spot. Despite being secure in the team championship, cracks are showing. Max Verstappen has won only three of the last seven races, and Red Bull has slipped to third in points since the race in Florida. Meanwhile, McLaren and Mercedes have outscored them.
Sergio Perez’s performance has been lackluster, collecting just 15 points over the last six Grand Prix. Team boss Christian Horner has shifted his tone, calling Perez’s form “unsustainable” and emphasizing the need for scoring points.
Perez was given a new contract before the Monaco Grand Prix, but it’s essentially a one-year deal with an option for another year. According to Dutch media, Perez can be demoted if he falls more than 100 points behind Verstappen by the summer break. Currently, he is 137 points behind.
Liam Lawson, a junior Red Bull driver, is set for a test drive at Silverstone. This recalls last year’s scenario where Daniel Ricciardo impressed in a test and replaced Nyck De Vries at Alpha Tauri.
Perez acknowledges the pressure but tries to stay focused. He told the media, “I need to focus on the next two weekends, which are the priority, and together as a team, to get out of this difficult period.”
Jenson Button believes Red Bull needs to act quickly to avoid losing ground in the championship. Button stated, “Even if he’s not directly behind Max, they can’t let it go on forever.”
The upcoming Lawson test will give Red Bull a chance to consider changes. Christian Horner seems more inclined to promote Ricciardo, who has shown improvement, over the young New Zealander.
Yuki Tsunoda, another Red Bull driver, has not been offered a similar test. Horner highlighted Tsunoda’s progress and the benefits of having Ricciardo as a teammate. However, Tsunoda seems less likely to replace Perez immediately.
Red Bull’s internal conflicts are complicating matters. Dr. Marko is pushing for Lawson to enter F1, but there is indecision about whether Perez or Ricciardo should make way.
Red Bull has critical decisions to make, and soon. With the championship at stake, they can’t afford to let poor performances slide. As Button put it, “For them, the championship is important.”
Red Bull is at a crossroads. They must decide whether to stick with Perez or make a bold move to preserve their championship hopes. With high stakes and intense pressure, every decision counts.
