The Red Bull stint was supposed to be that big break Sergio Perez deserved. He was floundering in the F1 midfield till then. However, the year of optimism, 2021, came and went. Perez’ career with the Milton-Keynes-based squad is yet to take off. It has only gotten worse with each year with the current season turning out to be a nightmare for the Mexican, and by extension, the team. And F1 expert Andrew Benson has called for action.
The Mexico City GP last weekend was, arguably, Perez’s lowest point this season — some might even say, of his career. Starting from P18, he finished P17, last among the finishers. This could be the tipping point for Red Bull. Imagine the scale of the slide in fortunes for Perez at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, right in front of his home fans.
“I think Red Bull have to do something really, don’t they? I don’t think this can carry on like this,” Benson said on the Chequered Flag podcast.
Perez’s struggles began back in May. And, each time Red Bull anticipated a turnaround, he stuttered. His ongoing slump has cost the team in the Constructors’ Championship. His current P8 standing, 212 points behind teammate Max Verstappen, has jeopardised the Austrian squad’s chances of retaining the title.
Perez finishing way out of the points in Mexico helped Ferrari — who had a 1-3 finish — to move ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings. The Maranello outfit is now 25 points in front.
McLaren’s Formula E driver, Sam Bird, agreed with Benson. He reasoned that the false start by Perez (his car was over the line when the race began) which led to a five-second penalty, sealed his fate in the race.
In all likelihood, Red Bull’s top brass are considering yet another mid-season driver swap — the last being Daniel Ricciardo at RB-Honda. Christian Horner’s comments have fueled the speculations.
Horner foreshadows Perez’s exit
After last weekend’s race, Horner, quite expectedly, was asked about Perez’s future. The Red Bull Team Principal’s reply was grim.
“It’s a performance-based business,” said Horner, when asked if Perez would complete the remainder of the 2024 season. “There comes a time when you have to make difficult decisions.”
There are four races left in the calendar, with the next one —Sao Paulo — slated for this weekend. Horner’s words hinted that Red Bull could pull the plug on Perez before they land in Brazil.
Red Bull driver Liam Lawson appears to be the frontrunner to replace him. Lawson was brought into RB at the US GP, allowing Red Bull to evaluate him for a potential future promotion. It seems that the future may have already arrived for the young New Zealander.
