On Monday, Red Bull will convene to evaluate Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1, immediately following the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, as stated by their motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko.
The world champion team is contemplating the possibility of parting ways with the driver it re-signed at the beginning of the summer. Since the Shanghai event, Perez has amassed only 21 points compared to team-mate Max Verstappen’s 129 and three wins.
Watch: Verstappen Fastest, Leclerc Starts From Pole – 2024 F1 Belgian GP Paddock Reaction
According to Red Bull CEO Peter Bayer, the team and its RB junior squad were always planning “private discussions” regarding driver lineup issues. It is believed that Perez’s contract includes a performance clause that could allow for his release if he falls more than 100 points behind Verstappen (currently 141 points) during the upcoming summer break, a scenario he can’t reverse even with a win and fastest lap at Spa.
Should Red Bull choose to move on from Perez after the summer break, candidates like Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, or Yuki Tsunoda are likely to be promoted.
Ricciardo himself is under significant pressure as it was revealed at the recent Hungarian event that Red Bull must decide whether to reinstate him in place of Perez or drop him in favor of Lawson.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Team VCARB 01
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
In an interview with Red Bull’s ServusTV prior to qualifying, Marko noted that while Perez was outpaced by Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, he will still start second behind the Ferrari due to a grid penalty issued to his teammate. Marko stated, “Sergio understands that we must have both cars positioned ahead of McLaren whenever possible for the constructors’ championship, which has not happened in recent races.”
When asked about Perez’s objectives for the Spa weekend, Marko responded, “No, the objective is to secure both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, and we will discuss strategies to achieve this on Monday.”
Following qualifying, Marko remarked that the session demonstrated Max’s exceptional skills, especially under wet conditions. He noted, “It is also vital that McLaren did not perform as strongly in the wet as they likely will in dry weather for the race. This has positively affected our starting position, making for an exciting race ahead.”
He added, “It’s encouraging to see Sergio making notable improvements. He will start from the front row due to the penalty, and things appear to be looking up.”
When reminded that Perez has secured new contracts in the past despite inconsistent results at Red Bull since 2021, the 1971 Le Mans winner responded, “Yes, but we can’t afford to experience such lows.”
“We find it very challenging to endure those,” Marko concluded.
Additional reporting by Frederik Hackbarth
