After weeks of intense speculation and clear signs that Red Bull was losing patience with Sergio Perez, the team’s decision to retain him after Formula 1’s summer recess took many by surprise.
Just a few weeks earlier, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, remarked that Perez’s streak of races without scoring points was ‘unsustainable’ for their constructors’ championship aspirations.
Then, last weekend, while Perez had seemingly done well for himself with a front-row start in Belgium, he faced heavy criticism from Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, for his performance ‘collapsing’ during the race as he fell behind.
With the growing challenge from McLaren in the constructors’ championship and no visible signs of the podium finishes that Red Bull desperately requires, Marko’s statements hinted that Perez’s time with the team might be coming to an end.
However, during a meeting between Horner and Marko at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory on Monday, they reached a different conclusion.
Instead of concluding that Perez had reached a breaking point, their decision was to keep the Mexican driver for the immediate future.
All discussions about a driver change were sidelined – Red Bull’s driver line-up would remain intact for now.
Though the team has not issued any official statements about the situation, sources from Motorsport.com reveal that multiple factors contributed to their decision to hold off on any driver swaps for the time being.
No clear alternative
Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia AlphaTauri, Yuki Tsunoda, Scuderia AlphaTauri
Photo by: Jake Grant / Motorsport Images
A primary consideration was that while Perez’s current performance has not been ideal – accumulating just 28 points since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix kicked off the European season – there is no standout candidate pushing for the role of a surefire replacement.
It’s one thing for a team to acknowledge that there’s a problem with their current driver; it’s entirely another to identify a better alternative that guarantees improved results.
If Red Bull’s secondary team had had a standout performer in the mold of previous potential stars like Sebastian Vettel or Max Verstappen, it’s likely that the decision on Perez would have been quite different.
However, Red Bull’s higher-ups are reportedly not fully convinced that RB’s Yuki Tsunoda possesses the mentality they believe is essential for fighting at the front.
Additionally, Daniel Ricciardo – initially seen as a safety net for Red Bull, who could step up if Perez faltered – has not been performing exceptionally this year either.
The Australian currently sits 10 points behind Tsunoda in the standings and, while he has shown enough in recent outings to suggest a turnaround, his elevation to Red Bull is still uncertain.
Reserve driver Liam Lawson was considered an early front-runner to replace Perez if needed, but concerns arose about throwing him into the high-pressure environment alongside Verstappen, especially with the stakes of vying for the constructors’ championship given his inexperience.
Increased support
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
As Red Bull delved deeper into why Perez’s recent performances have faltered, there emerged a consensus that perhaps not all of the blame should rest solely on the shoulders of the Mexican driver.
While he certainly made mistakes, such as crashing out in Q1 during qualifying in Silverstone and Hungary, other elements have come into play that led Red Bull to feel they could have provided more support to enhance Perez’s performance.
It’s reported that one outcome from the discussions between Horner and Marko was the realization that instead of searching for a replacement, finding ways to give Perez the necessary tools to succeed with his car would be a more viable approach.
Horner’s comments in Belgium were particularly revealing when he emphasized the need for increasing support for Perez as opposed to abruptly ending his tenure.
“It’s frustrating for everyone to see Checo struggle because nobody wants that,” he stated. “We all aim for his success. The team remains fully committed to him, and it’s hard to watch him in his current situation.”
While the specifics of this additional support remain unclear, it likely involves a comprehensive review of Perez’s environment and team dynamics to ensure he feels fully equipped and at ease.
This could encompass enhancements to his support team, the individuals he collaborates with, and the configuration of his car – there’s an understanding that recent upgrades may have detracted from his comfort level.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull seems to believe that if Perez can be provided with a car that feels entirely comfortable to him and a team that understands how to extract the best from it, the results will come.
With the summer break approaching, there’s a chance for a breather and some preparation before the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, allowing any adjustments needed for Perez to be implemented thoughtfully.
Favorable upcoming races
Another aspect that influenced this decision was how the race calendar unfurls after the summer hiatus, which is once more advantageous for Perez.
During Horner’s address to the team, he mentioned that the forthcoming races consist of venues where Perez has previously ‘excelled’ – presenting a prime opportunity to observe if the changes around him can yield better results.
The races ahead are crucial ones where he achieved strong finishes last year: second in Italy and a victory in Baku, along with a fourth-place finish in Zandvoort.
Substituting him in challenging tracks like these would not be ideal.
Performance expectations
In essence, Perez has been afforded additional time to demonstrate his capability to fulfill his contract obligations.
However, Red Bull is fully attentive to the pressing situation regarding the constructors’ championship, not losing sight of the challenges posed by their competitors.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Currently, McLaren’s rapid ascent suggests they could be ahead in the standings by the time F1 reaches the Singapore Grand Prix.
That race weekend, followed by a brief break before a trio of races in the USA, Mexico, and Brazil, will be another crucial moment for Red Bull to assess their position.
If Perez shows the improvement Red Bull is hoping to achieve, he is likely to continue through the remainder of the season and adapt his performance into 2025.
Conversely, if his performance fails to shift and McLaren successfully overtakes Red Bull’s standing, a switch could still be on the horizon.
As Horner stated after the Belgium race: “Our main focus is on the constructors’ championship. We’ve seen our lead diminish again today. We need to turn this around as we head into Zandvoort after the break.”
Perez may be staying for now, but the pressure on him to deliver remains strong.
