After weeks of speculation, the decision to keep Sergio Perez during Formula 1’s summer break surprised many.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, had previously called Perez’s performance “unsustainable” for the constructors’ championship.
Even though Perez started strong in Belgium, his performance plummeted during the race, leading Helmut Marko to criticize him harshly.
With McLaren posing an increasing threat in the constructors’ championship, it seemed like Perez’s days were numbered.
However, after a crucial meeting at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory, Horner and Marko decided to stick with Perez for now.
One key reason is the lack of a clear replacement who could undoubtedly outperform Perez.
Daniel Ricciardo, who was expected to step up, hasn’t shown the consistent form needed to secure Red Bull’s confidence.
Yuki Tsunoda also hasn’t impressed Red Bull’s senior management with his mental approach.
Reserve driver Liam Lawson, while promising, lacks the experience to handle the pressure of competing with Max Verstappen.
Additionally, Red Bull acknowledged that not all of Perez’s struggles were his fault.
Mistakes like those in Q1 at Silverstone and Hungary were on Perez, but the team believes it could have offered him better support.
Christian Horner emphasized on Sunday in Belgium that more support, not less, was needed for Perez to succeed.
Horner said, “What’s frustrating for everybody is Checo struggling because nobody wants to see him struggle. Everybody wants to see him succeed.”
Red Bull plans to enhance Perez’s support system and make adjustments to his car to boost his performance.
Upcoming races are also favorable for Perez, with good past performances at venues like Italy and Baku.
These races offer a chance to see if Red Bull’s changes will make a difference for Perez.
However, the clock is ticking for Perez to prove himself, especially as McLaren closes the gap in the championship.
Red Bull will reassess the situation after the Singapore Grand Prix to decide Perez’s future.
If Perez shows improvement, he could stay on for the rest of the season and into 2025.
If not, a change might be inevitable to protect Red Bull’s championship hopes.
Horner made it clear, “For us, the focus is on the constructors’ championship.” Perez has some breathing room, but the pressure is still on for him to deliver.
Perez remains with Red Bull for now, but his future depends on delivering results. The upcoming races are crucial for him to meet the team’s expectations.
