Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull is on shaky ground, despite having a two-year contract.
- Christian Horner emphasizes that decisions will rely on ‘facts’ after Perez’s recent performance.
- Perez’s struggle was highlighted at the Brazilian Grand Prix, contrasting with Verstappen’s victory.
- Perez’s points contribution this season has been notably lower than Verstappen’s.
- The decision on Perez’s future could significantly impact Red Bull’s standing in the Constructors’ Championship.
Sergio Perez’s position at Red Bull is under scrutiny, even though he has a signed two-year contract. Both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have hinted that changes might occur post-season, with Horner stating that ‘facts’ will guide their decision-making process. The uncertainty over Perez’s seat is palpable as his performance this season hasn’t quite matched expectations.
The Brazilian Grand Prix starkly illustrated the gap between Perez and his teammate Max Verstappen. Starting from a 17th-position grid slot, Verstappen claimed a commanding victory, while Perez spun off early and had to recover to an eleventh-place finish. Horner acknowledged the frustration of missing out on valuable points, stating, ‘It was a difficult race for Checo [Perez], spinning at the beginning of the race dropped him down.’
A detailed look at Perez’s performance reveals a pattern: his strong start to the season, racking up impressive podiums, has not been maintained. In Brazil, Verstappen scored 31 points from the Sprint and Grand Prix combined, whereas Perez managed just one. This highlights a broader gap in points accumulation over the season, where Verstappen’s average significantly overshadows Perez’s.
Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship hopes are heavily influenced by Perez’s performance. To date, he has contributed 151 out of Red Bull’s 544 points, a stark 27.7% share. Verstappen, on the other hand, has been a powerhouse, contributing the remaining 72.3%. Such disparity in teammate performance is unseen elsewhere on the grid, underscoring the pressure on Perez to perform.
The disparity in contributions to the team’s score, especially when compared to their rivals like McLaren and Ferrari, demonstrates the potential impact if Perez had been able to match even half of Verstappen’s prowess on the track. The reality is that more is required from a driver at a championship-winning team like Red Bull, and the looming decision on Perez’s future could shift the dynamics within the team.
Sergio Perez’s future with Red Bull hangs in the balance, weighed down by his current performance metrics.
