Sergio Perez’s F1 career with Red Bull appears to be hanging by a thread as the Mexican driver’s performance in the 2024 season has left the team’s management less than impressed. Despite being a six-time Grand Prix winner, Perez has only managed to secure 144 points so far this season, putting him a disappointing eighth in the driver’s standings. With the season nearing its end, Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, has hinted at a possible exit for the 34-year-old driver if his performance doesn’t improve dramatically.
Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021, initially delivered solid results, but his 2024 campaign has been marked by inconsistency and struggles, particularly as rival teams have upped their game. Marko, the 81-year-old veteran and influential voice at Red Bull, has not been shy in criticizing Perez’s lackluster performances, issuing several public rebukes throughout the season. His latest remarks, however, suggest that Perez may be on borrowed time, as Marko has strongly hinted at a change in Red Bull’s driver lineup for the 2025 season.
Marko’s vision for the future includes integrating a Red Bull junior driver into the main team, potentially partnering with Max Verstappen. “Ideally with a junior [as a teammate] from our own junior programme,” he stated, clearly signaling that Red Bull is eager to promote fresh talent from its development pool.
Among the potential replacements, Marko has his eyes set on Williams junior Franco Colapinto. The young Argentine has impressed since stepping into the seat for Williams, following the dismissal of their previous driver, and has quickly made a name for himself. Despite only three Grand Prix outings, Colapinto has already scored four points and caught the attention of the F1 world. Marko praised his performances, saying, “I also hope that [Franco] Colapinto will end up somewhere. He was thrown in at the deep end [by Williams] and has delivered three great races.”
Colapinto’s rise has led to speculation that he could land a seat with Audi in 2025, as Williams’ management is pushing hard for the young driver’s future placement. However, competition for that spot is fierce, with other contenders such as Red Bull juniors Ayumu Iwasa and Isack Hadjar also vying for opportunities alongside the German driver Mick Schumacher, who remains a key figure in the Audi setup.
The spotlight remains on Perez as the final races of the 2024 season unfold. Marko’s pointed comments and Red Bull’s eagerness to promote young talent signal a crucial turning point for the Mexican driver, whose future in Formula 1 may depend on a significant and immediate turnaround in performance.
