Sergio Perez’s homecoming at the Mexico City Grand Prix was a nightmare—a race marred by penalties, back-and-forth battles, and a humbling P17 finish that has left his future with Red Bull hanging by a thread. Once a force capable of race victories, Perez has seen his form crumble this season, and he now finds himself in the crosshairs of fans, critics, and even Red Bull’s own management.
Amid the post-race fallout, F1 veteran Juan Pablo Montoya didn’t hold back, expressing doubts about Perez’s Red Bull tenure. Montoya told InstantCasino.com, “If I were Red Bull, I would be putting pressure on him to retire from F1,” calling attention to Perez’s repeated struggles under the spotlight. But Montoya also acknowledged Perez’s contract position: “If I am Checo, I would say, ‘I still have one more year on my contract. I will stick it out. Work with me, not against me.’”
Perez, once brought in to stabilize the Red Bull team and provide a solid second to Max Verstappen, has found himself outclassed this season. Verstappen, currently leading the championship with 362 points, has left Perez trailing in P8 with a mere 150 points—a stark contrast that underscores Red Bull’s conundrum. Montoya continued, criticizing Perez’s critical missteps: “He was too far forward in the grid box… It just shows you how much pressure Perez is under.”
The tension escalated with the arrival of Red Bull’s new talent, Liam Lawson. Lawson, filling in for Daniel Ricciardo, has quickly demonstrated his ambition—and his aggressiveness. In Mexico, Lawson took Perez head-on, challenging the veteran and ultimately causing a heated moment that led to Lawson flipping Perez the bird. While some fans applauded Lawson’s boldness, Montoya issued a stern warning: “Lawson is trying to prove a point… but this isn’t F3. Lawson needs to learn when to give up.” Montoya suggested that Lawson’s overzealous moves nearly cost Red Bull critical points in the constructors’ race, highlighting how rookie missteps could have serious consequences for the team.
Red Bull’s Christian Horner reportedly gave Lawson a private dressing down, reinforcing the need for self-control even in the face of intense competition. “Helmut [Marko] wants drivers to be aggressive… but you can’t behave like that,” Montoya added, pointing out that Red Bull’s young driver management might be falling short as new drivers adjust to the team’s high-stakes expectations.
Perez now finds himself at a crossroads. With Lawson gunning for his seat and Red Bull’s patience wearing thin, Perez must prove he still has what it takes. The once-promising Mexican’s career at Red Bull hangs in the balance, and the coming races will be a critical test—not only for Perez but for Red Bull’s driver management philosophy. Whether Checo can dig deep and find his form, or if Lawson’s aggressiveness earns him a long-term spot, remains to be seen in this high-stakes drama at Red Bull Racing.
