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Nine Lives? Jeroen Bleekemolen Says Sergio Perez Has 25 in His F1 Rollercoaster

Virgilio Machado by Virgilio Machado
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Sergio Perez Reflects on Future: “I Won’t Let Anyone Decide My Fate in F1”

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing speaks to his engineers in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409220306 // Usage for editorial use only //

Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 journey has been nothing short of dramatic—a career filled with ups, downs, and moments that defy the odds. Dutch racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen has weighed in on the Mexican driver’s tenure at Red Bull, humorously suggesting that Perez has “more lives than a cat” to survive the ever-present exit rumors and mounting pressures of partnering with Max Verstappen.

“Nine Lives? Make That 25”

Bleekemolen didn’t hold back when describing Perez’s knack for staying in the game despite countless whispers of his potential replacement. “Somehow, it seems like a cat with, I would say, nine lives, but it seems like he has 25 lives,” the Dutchman remarked. “He keeps coming back.”

Indeed, Perez’s F1 career has seen him teeter on the edge of the grid more than once. From his forced exit from Racing Point (now Aston Martin) in 2020 to persistent speculation about his Red Bull seat, Perez has consistently found ways to silence his doubters, at least temporarily.

A Driver with Proven Pedigree

Bleekemolen was quick to remind critics of Perez’s undeniable talent, citing his stunning victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix as a defining moment. Starting dead last after an early collision, Perez clawed his way through the field to take his maiden F1 victory—a performance that ultimately earned him a spot at Red Bull.

“We have to remember that he also drove from last place to first at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain,” Bleekemolen said. “If you think he can’t drive, it’s nonsense because he’s just a very good driver.”

Since joining Red Bull in 2021, Perez has delivered notable victories and played a key role in securing Constructors’ Championship points. However, his performances have often been overshadowed by the dominance of his teammate, Max Verstappen.

The Verstappen Effect

Driving alongside Verstappen, a two-time champion and arguably one of the most dominant drivers of this generation, has been no easy task for Perez. Bleekemolen emphasized how the relentless pace of the Dutchman has forced Perez to take risks, often leading to inconsistent results.

“You are going to do things you shouldn’t do, you are going to try things you don’t want to try,” Bleekemolen explained. “And if you come up four, five-tenths short, you go crazy as a driver. Maybe he has been mentally succumbing to that pressure for some time.”

The mental toll of competing against Verstappen is evident in Perez’s erratic form. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, such as his 2023 Monaco GP victory, he’s struggled to keep pace with Verstappen, leading to speculation about his long-term future with the team.

Uncertain Future for Checo

With a contract extending through 2025, Perez’s position at Red Bull appears secure on paper. However, as history has shown, Red Bull isn’t afraid to make sudden driver changes if performance standards aren’t met. Perez’s struggles to consistently challenge Verstappen could leave him vulnerable, especially with young talents like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda knocking on the door.

While Bleekemolen acknowledges Perez’s undeniable talent, he hinted that Red Bull might soon look for a driver better suited to the relentless demands of being Verstappen’s teammate. “Certainly, Sergio Perez’s F1 future remains in uncertainty,” Bleekemolen concluded. “It would not be a surprise if Red Bull decides to make a shock driver move before the start of next season.”

The Verdict: A Fighter on Borrowed Time?

Sergio Perez has proven time and again that he’s a survivor in Formula 1. But in the high-stakes world of Red Bull Racing, survival isn’t enough. With every race, the pressure to match Verstappen grows heavier, and the margin for error shrinks. Whether Perez’s legendary “25 lives” will keep him in the cockpit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Mexican driver’s resilience is as remarkable as it is inspiring.

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