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Sergio Perez’s Red Bull Days Numbered? Talks Begin on Uncertain Future as 2024 Campaign Ends in Disappointment

Publisher by Publisher
December 9, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - October 31, 2024 Red Bull's Sergio Perez ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo

Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull Racing is hanging by a thread as team principal Christian Horner revealed plans to review the Mexican driver’s future following a dismal 2024 Formula 1 season. With Perez finishing eighth in the Drivers’ Championship—an eye-watering 285 points behind his dominant teammate Max Verstappen—speculation is rife that Red Bull may part ways with him ahead of 2025.

Red Bull Set for High-Stakes Discussions

Perez’s post-race comments in Abu Dhabi hinted at impending talks with the team to decide his fate. Christian Horner confirmed the need for a thorough review of Perez’s performance and its impact on Red Bull’s objectives, particularly in light of the team’s disappointing third-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.

“We’ll sit down with Checo and reflect on the season, where it’s gone wrong, and collectively work out the right and appropriate way forward,” Horner said. “Checo has been a great servant of this team, contributing significantly to our successes in 2021, ’22, and ’23. But we need to reflect on this season to decide how we move forward.”

Perez’s Tumultuous 2024 Campaign

The 2024 season saw Perez start strong with four podiums in the opening five races but quickly spiral into underperformance. He failed to secure a podium in the latter half of the season, compounding Red Bull’s struggles with the challenging RB20 car. Despite acknowledging the car’s flaws, Horner pointed to Verstappen’s ability to win nine races as evidence of the gap between the two drivers.

“The benchmark is always your teammate,” Horner noted. “The RB20 has been a challenging car, but Max, as the hardest teammate in the world to have, was able to extract nine wins, ten poles, and multiple podiums.”

Perez’s struggles left Red Bull unable to defend their Constructors’ Championship, with McLaren and Ferrari outpacing them in the standings.

The Liam Lawson Factor

Rumors suggest that Red Bull’s rising star Liam Lawson is the frontrunner to replace Perez if the team opts for a change. Lawson, who has impressed in his limited outings, is seen as a promising candidate, though Horner stressed that no decision will be made before discussing Perez’s situation.

“There’s no immediate rush,” Horner stated. “The first thing is to sit down with Checo. Once that conversation happens, we’ll evaluate our options. We have all the permutations available to us internally.”

Horner on the Importance of Consistency

Looking ahead to 2025, Horner underscored the critical need for both Red Bull drivers to deliver consistently, especially with fierce competition expected from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes.

“It’s crucial to have two drivers scoring regularly in the Constructors’ Championship,” he emphasized. “Ferrari and McLaren will have strong line-ups, and while Mercedes has an inexperienced driver in Kimi Antonelli, we cannot afford a significant gap between our drivers.”

Perez’s Last Stand?

Perez’s career at Red Bull now hangs in the balance. While Horner acknowledged Perez’s contributions to the team’s past successes, the Mexican’s inability to perform at Verstappen’s level has raised questions about his long-term suitability.

“Checo has done an awful lot for this team,” Horner said. “But it’s a tough job to sit next to Max and extract the maximum out of the car. We need to ensure we’re in the best position to compete in 2025.”

What’s Next for Perez?

The upcoming discussions could see Perez and Red Bull reach an agreement for an early exit from his contract, which currently runs until 2026. If this happens, it would pave the way for Red Bull to reset their line-up in pursuit of championship glory next season.

The pressure is on, and all eyes will be on Milton Keynes as Red Bull Racing decides the future of its driver line-up. Whether Perez stays or departs, one thing is clear: the team cannot afford another season where one driver fails to match the pace of the front-runners.

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