Sergio Perez’s 2024 Formula 1 season has been a far cry from the standard set by his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris has added fuel to the fire with a not-so-subtle jab at the Mexican driver’s underwhelming performance.
“A Tale of Two Drivers”
While Verstappen cruised to his fourth consecutive world title with an astounding 403 points, Perez has struggled, managing a mere 152 points after 22 races. This massive disparity has left Red Bull third in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren and Ferrari, despite Verstappen’s brilliance.
Speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, McLaren’s Norris pointed out the glaring gap between Verstappen and Perez, insinuating that Red Bull’s fortunes in the Constructors’ standings could have been very different with two top-tier drivers.
“Red Bull probably would have won the constructors if they had two drivers as good as Max, that’s for sure. That’s clear. That’s obvious. It shows that as a team, they’ve still probably done the best job.”
“Perez Acknowledges Verstappen’s Brilliance”
In response to the growing scrutiny, Perez has admitted that Verstappen’s form has been nothing short of spectacular. Reflecting on his teammate’s dominant year, Perez offered high praise for the Dutchman’s relentless pursuit of excellence:
“This is the best Max I have seen, the way he pushed the team and how hard he worked during this year. There were a lot of periods during the year where we looked really far [away], and he would push the team in all the areas, in all the aspects.”
He went on to commend Verstappen’s growth as a driver, highlighting his ability to read races and collaborate with the team:
“Max has made very big steps out of the car. His talent and his speed have been there since day one, but how he reads the races, how he works with the team, how he pushes the team—that’s the biggest step that he has done in these past years.”
“The Clock is Ticking for Perez”
As the season winds down, the pressure on Perez is immense. With **only two races left—Qatar and Abu Dhabi—**he is fighting to prove his worth to Red Bull. His lackluster performance has fueled speculation about potential replacements, with names like Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, and even Daniel Ricciardo being floated as candidates for the coveted second seat.
Perez will need to deliver standout performances in the final rounds if he hopes to solidify his spot with the Austrian team for 2025. The penultimate race in Qatar presents a critical opportunity for the Mexican driver to silence critics and remind Red Bull why he was signed in the first place.
“A Season to Forget?”
While Verstappen’s heroics have showcased what Red Bull can achieve with a truly exceptional driver, Perez’s struggles have left questions about the team’s second car. As Norris hinted, a stronger performance from both drivers could have changed the outcome of the Constructors’ Championship.
With Red Bull’s 2024 campaign defined by contrasts, Perez’s future remains uncertain, and all eyes will be on his final efforts to prove he belongs in the most competitive seat in Formula 1. Will Qatar mark the start of his redemption, or the beginning of the end?