After weeks filled with speculation, Red Bull’s choice to retain Sergio Perez after Formula 1’s summer break surprised many, especially given the previous signs of the team’s waning patience.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, remarked on Perez’s streak of non-scoring races as ‘unsustainable’ for their constructors’ championship ambitions.
Then, at the recent Belgian Grand Prix, while Perez’s front-row start initially seemed like a positive signal, he faced criticism from Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, as his performance ‘collapsed’ during the race.
With increasing competition from McLaren and a lack of podium finishes that Red Bull desperately needs, Marko’s comments hinted that Perez’s time at the team might be running out.
However, following a meeting between Horner and Marko at the Milton Keynes factory, they arrived at a different conclusion.
Instead of deciding that Perez had reached a dead end, they concluded it was best to keep the Mexican driver for the short term.
Discussions about changing drivers were shelved, and the current driver lineup was confirmed to stay intact for now.
Although no formal announcement has been made by the team, Autosport understands that various factors contributed to the decision that swapping drivers was not the most sensible approach at this time.
No obvious alternative
Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia AlphaTauri, Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia AlphaTauri
Photo by: Jake Grant / Motorsport Images
Among the key reasons behind this decision was the realization that, despite Perez’s current struggles—having accumulated just 28 points since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix—there is no clear alternative ready to step in as a suitable replacement.
While it’s one thing to acknowledge a driver’s shortcomings, it’s a different matter entirely to identify a more effective solution.
If Red Bull’s second team had possessed someone of the talent level of past promising prospects like Sebastian Vettel or Max Verstappen—drivers capable of delivering wins in the right car—the situation regarding Perez would likely have been very different.
However, according to Red Bull’s senior management, there are doubts about whether RB’s Yuki Tsunoda has the right mindset necessary for competing at the front.
Daniel Ricciardo, who was expected to serve as a safety net and the first choice to step up if Perez faltered, has also not performed to expectations this season.
The Australian currently trails Tsunoda by 10 points in the standings and while recent performances suggest he is improving, uncertainty remains about whether promoting him to Red Bull would yield guaranteed better results.
Liam Lawson was initially seen as a prime contender for a potential promotion if Perez was let go, but concerns about his inexperience in such a high-pressure situation alongside Verstappen were discussed.
Better support
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
In addition to the lack of adequate driver replacements, Red Bull has begun to realize that perhaps they should not solely blame Perez for the recent race troubles.
While his mistakes in Q1 at Silverstone and Hungary were unmistakably his fault, other factors have surfaced that suggest the team could have done more to support Perez in achieving better results.
One conclusion reached during the discussions between Horner and Marko was that identifying ways to enhance Perez’s experience with his car would be more beneficial than introducing a new driver.
Horner notably expressed on Sunday in Belgium that the focus should be on providing Perez with the support he requires instead of removing him from the equation.
“What’s frustrating for everyone is seeing Checo struggle because nobody wants to see him in that position,” he articulated.
“Everyone wishes for his success. The team remains firmly behind him as we all want to see him do well, as it’s painful to witness his current struggles.”
Although there’s uncertainty about what this increased support will entail going forward, it likely will involve a comprehensive evaluation of the surrounding environment, ensuring Perez feels comfortable.
This could mean enhancing the team structures, the personnel he collaborates with, and possibly even adjustments to the configuration of his car, as it’s believed that recent upgrades might have compromised his comfort level.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
There is an ongoing belief that if Perez can compete in a car that he feels completely at ease with, combined with a crew that maximizes results, then success will surely follow.
As the summer break approaches, there will be sufficient time to implement changes that can prepare Perez for when the race action resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Better tracks
Another aspect considered was the upcoming race calendar, which may favor Perez’s chances moving forward.
During Horner’s address to the team regarding Perez’s retention on Monday, he pointed out that the next races are venues where Perez has historically performed well, presenting a solid opportunity to gauge the impact of any adjustments made.
The forthcoming races will be at locations where Perez showcased some of his best form last year, including Italy (where he finished second) and Baku (where he won), alongside a fourth-place result in Zandvoort.
Introducing a new driver at these challenging circuits would not have been ideal.
The need to deliver
This all means that Perez has potentially gained some time to show he can meet the requirements to fulfill his contract.
However, there should be no illusions about Red Bull’s awareness regarding the constructors’ championship threats.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Currently, the way things are progressing, with McLaren swiftly gaining ground on Red Bull, the Woking-based team could potentially surpass them by the time Formula 1 reaches the Singapore Grand Prix.
The weekend at Singapore, along with a brief break before a series of races in the USA, Mexico, and Brazil, may represent another critical moment for Red Bull to reassess their position.
If Perez exhibits the improvement Red Bull anticipates, he will likely see out the season and continue into 2025.
Conversely, if he fails to advance in performance, and McLaren continues its rise, a change could still be on the table.
As Horner stated after the Belgian GP, “Our focus is the constructors’ championship.”
“We’ve lost another seven or eight points today; we need to reverse that trend when we return for Zandvoort.”
Perez will remain for now, but the scrutiny on his performance persists.
