Sergio Perez’s rollercoaster journey with Red Bull Racing appears to be approaching its breaking point. Red Bull’s senior advisor and head of driver development, Helmut Marko, has confirmed that the Mexican driver’s future with the team will be decided following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. After a series of underwhelming performances in 2024, the Milton Keynes squad is weighing whether Perez will remain in the cockpit for 2025.
A Tale of Two Drivers
While Max Verstappen has dominated the season, securing his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship with 403 points, Perez’s struggles have become glaringly apparent. The 34-year-old has managed just 152 points in the same RB20, a gap that has fueled speculation over his ability to deliver at the level Red Bull demands.
Once seen as the solution to Red Bull’s infamous “second driver curse,” Perez provided much-needed stability when he joined the team in 2021. However, his dramatic drop in performance midway through the 2023 season has left the team questioning his future.
Marko Hints at Change
Helmut Marko has shed light on the decision-making process, revealing that a meeting will be held after Abu Dhabi, during which Red Bull’s shareholders will evaluate Perez’s performance and determine the driver lineup for both Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri next season.
“There will be a meeting after Abu Dhabi, and the result of this meeting will be presented to the shareholders. They will then decide what the driver situation for both teams will look like for next year,” Marko stated.
Pressure from Within
Perez’s struggles are not just a concern for the team’s competitiveness on the track but also a potential blow to morale within Red Bull. The team’s drop to third place in the constructors’ standings—behind McLaren and Ferrari—means that staff bonuses tied to championship results are now in jeopardy. This internal pressure could make it even harder for Perez to retain his seat.
A Dismal Season
Perez’s performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix epitomized his season-long struggles. While Verstappen sealed the drivers’ title with a solid fifth-place finish, Perez managed only P10 in a race where he was expected to excel. This stark contrast between teammates has left fans and pundits questioning how long Red Bull’s traditionally short patience will hold out.
Despite the criticism, Perez struck a cautiously optimistic tone post-race, saying, “I think we’re close to turning things around. We were competitive all weekend, every race session we did, we were competitive. The issue was always over one lap… Hopefully in a little bit more normal race, like Qatar, we can be back.”
What’s Next for Perez?
If Perez does lose his Red Bull seat, his future in Formula 1 looks uncertain. With no vacancies at other teams for 2025, the Mexican driver could find himself without a spot on the grid entirely.
As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Red Bull’s boardroom, where the fate of Sergio Perez—and potentially the team’s direction for 2025—will be decided. Will Red Bull opt for a fresh face to reignite their constructors’ championship hopes, or will they give Perez one more shot to prove his worth? The clock is ticking.
