Sergio Perez’s position at Red Bull Racing beyond 2024 is far from secure, despite a contract extension through 2026. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that a decision on Perez’s future with the team will be made at the end of the current Formula 1 season, following a tumultuous year for the Mexican driver.
Perez, who has struggled to match the performance of his teammate Max Verstappen, currently trails by a staggering 204 points and has not secured a podium finish since April. Despite being given a reprieve by Red Bull over the summer, Perez’s form has not improved, leading to speculation that his seat might be in jeopardy.
Marko made it clear that Red Bull is evaluating its options, stating, “Perez may have a contract, but Formula 1 is a meritocracy. If the performance is not right, even contracts are useless. At the end of the season, we will sit down together and decide who is the best team-mate for Verstappen at Red Bull.”
Perez’s underperformance has been a contributing factor in Red Bull losing its lead in the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren, with Ferrari also threatening to push the reigning champions to third place. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the growing importance of Perez’s contribution, noting that for the team to revive its title hopes, Perez needs to play a greater role at the front of the field.
“They’ve [Ferrari] been very, very strong. And they’ve got two drivers that are competing at the front. McLaren, likewise, their drivers, there’s not a big deficit between them. So, you know, that’s where we really need for the Constructors to have Checo come into play,” Horner said.
Liam Lawson, who was promoted mid-season to race for Red Bull’s junior team, has also become part of the conversation as the team assesses his potential to step up to the senior squad. Perez’s future at Red Bull is now under even more scrutiny, with the team’s management looking at all options for Verstappen’s 2025 teammate.
Horner hopes that the home crowd support Perez will receive at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix could provide the boost he needs to regain form. “Well, hopefully, with the support that he’ll receive in Mexico, it’ll give him that boost,” Horner remarked, recognizing the importance of Perez’s upcoming performance on home soil.
With just five races left in the 2024 season, the pressure is mounting on Perez to turn things around. His future at Red Bull hinges on his ability to deliver results, as the team prepares to make a crucial decision about its 2025 lineup.
