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Sergio Perez Points Fingers at Red Bull Car After Sixth Q1 Exit of 2024 in Las Vegas

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Sergio Perez Points Fingers at Red Bull Car After Sixth Q1 Exit of 2024 in Las Vegas

Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - November 22, 2024 Red Bull's Sergio Perez pull by his mechanics after practice REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Sergio Perez has once again failed to make it past Q1, marking his sixth early exit of the 2024 Formula 1 season. The Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session saw the under-pressure Mexican eliminated in 16th place, leaving Max Verstappen as Red Bull’s sole contender near the front. Perez, whose seat is under intense scrutiny, attributed the struggles to “fundamental issues” with the RB20 rather than his own performance.


Blame on the Car, Not the Driver

Facing media after his Q1 elimination, Perez voiced his frustration with the car’s setup and lack of compatibility with his driving style:

“I think we’ve got a fundamental issue at the moment with the car that is just not working for me,” Perez explained. “And it’s where the whole brain is going, to try and fix it up instead of being compromised.”

Perez criticized Red Bull’s exploration-heavy approach, claiming the team has struggled to adapt the car for his needs, leaving him prone to mistakes.

“At the moment we come to the weekends and we just explore a lot of things. It’s just a difficult one to make it work. When you don’t have that grip underneath you, it’s really hard.”


A Worrying Record

Perez’s early elimination in Las Vegas adds to a dismal qualifying record in 2024:

  • Six Q1 exits – the most of any driver this season.
  • Only 13 Q3 appearances – fewer than midfield competitors such as Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
  • Outqualified by Verstappen 21–1 – the worst teammate comparison in the field.

With just 151 points this season and no podium finishes since April, Perez languishes in eighth place in the drivers’ standings, far behind Verstappen and even trailing rivals in slower machinery.


Future Uncertain as Tsunoda Looms

Perez’s struggles come at a critical time as Red Bull evaluates its 2025 driver lineup. Yuki Tsunoda, who outqualified Perez in Las Vegas and has shown consistent growth at AlphaTauri, is a strong candidate for his seat. With rumors swirling, the pressure to deliver results is mounting on the Guadalajara native.


Perez Hopes for Redemption on Race Day

Despite his qualifying woes, Perez remained cautiously optimistic about his chances in Sunday’s Grand Prix, citing Red Bull’s traditionally stronger race pace:

“I believe that we are more competitive come race day. Yesterday we looked a lot better over the long race than over a single lap.”

Perez faces a steep uphill battle starting from 16th on the grid. A strong recovery drive could temporarily silence critics, but anything less will only intensify speculation about his future with Red Bull.


A Crossroads for Perez and Red Bull

While Verstappen is poised to secure his fourth drivers’ championship in Las Vegas, Perez’s struggles cast a shadow over Red Bull’s dominance. With Ferrari and McLaren threatening Red Bull’s constructors’ lead, the team needs consistent results from both drivers. Whether Perez can deliver under the mounting pressure—or if Red Bull decides to move on—remains one of the most compelling storylines of the season.

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