Sergio Perez, once hailed as a key player for Red Bull Racing, is now facing a career crossroads in Formula 1. After an exceptional start with the Milton Keynes-based team, Perez’s performance has faltered, and his struggles have become glaring, particularly in the 2023 season. With his last win in Baku earlier this year, the Mexican driver now finds himself under intense pressure to deliver or risk losing his seat for the 2025 season.
Having joined Red Bull in 2021, Perez quickly earned a reputation as a reliable driver, contributing to the team’s success with solid performances and crucial points. However, the current season has exposed weaknesses, leading many to question whether he still has the pace and consistency needed to thrive in Formula 1’s most competitive team. Criticism has mounted, but Perez remains defiant, pointing to his career accomplishments as evidence of his worth in the sport.
“Many drivers would be pleased to have the same career as me,” Perez asserted, reflecting on his six race wins and 39 podiums. “There is one truth: 90 percent of the drivers on the grid would love to have my career.”
However, his contract with Red Bull, which runs until the end of 2026, is under scrutiny. Perez has so far failed to meet key performance clauses in his deal, leaving him vulnerable to being replaced. If the Mexican driver cannot regain form in the remaining races, his future with Red Bull could be in jeopardy before the 2025 season even begins.
In the midst of his own struggles, Perez has expressed support for younger drivers, particularly Argentina’s Franco Colapinto, who made his Formula 1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix following the sacking of a fellow driver. Colapinto, who has shown promise in his three races so far, is aiming to secure a permanent seat with Audi-owned Sauber for 2025.
“I really hope for Franco that he’s able to find that Audi seat,” said Perez, emphasizing the importance of staying in F1. “For him, it would be a shame after the job that he’s doing if he doesn’t get a seat for next year. Returning to Formula 2 after a taste of F1 could risk his career.”
With limited seats available on the grid for the 2025 season, Perez believes that a move back to F2 would be a significant step backward for the Argentine. He emphasized the critical nature of the next six races for Colapinto to prove his worth and attract the attention of potential teams.
As both Perez and Colapinto face pivotal moments in their respective careers, the pressure is on. While Colapinto must seize every opportunity to secure a future in F1, Perez needs to rekindle the form that once made him a star or risk seeing his time at the pinnacle of motorsport come to an abrupt end. The remaining races of the 2024 season will be decisive for both drivers as they fight for their futures on the Formula 1 grid.
