Despite his impressive performance, especially after a disappointing display at the Monaco Grand Prix, Perez remains a significant figure in the 2024 racing season.
The Formula 1 community is abuzz with speculation about the future of the Red Bull Racing driver lineup, particularly regarding the apparent lack of consideration for Yuki Tsunoda as a possible replacement for Sergio Perez.
Perez, whose performance has come under scrutiny, has managed to hold onto his position thus far, overcoming challenges from other drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo.
Despite his notable performance, especially after a poor showing at the Monaco Grand Prix, Perez continues to be an important figure in the 2024 racing season.
In contrast, Yuki Tsunoda, who races for Red Bull’s sister team, has shown impressive form but has not been seriously considered for Perez’s position.
Tom Clarkson, host of the F1 Nation podcast, expressed his confusion about Tsunoda’s exclusion: “I can’t understand why he’s not part of the conversation for the second seat at Red Bull.”
Echoing Clarkson’s sentiment, Diego Mejia, a journalist from Fox Sports Mexico, shared his perplexity about this omission: “I also don’t understand why his name isn’t even mentioned as a possible future Red Bull driver.”
Mejia praised Tsunoda’s current performance, highlighting his consistent success against experienced drivers like Ricciardo, a former Monaco Grand Prix winner.
“He’s doing everything right. He’s outperforming a former Monaco winner.
“Daniel was at one point one of the best F1 drivers. Now he’s consistently being outperformed by Yuki.”
Tsunoda’s maturity and improved attitude have also been recognized.
Mejia recalled a minor incident in Bahrain, where Tsunoda was instructed to give way to Ricciardo, which he handled professionally.
“After that, he was at the top of his game. He really delivered.”
The future of the young driver is a popular topic, with Aston Martin emerging as a possible destination due to their future partnership with Honda in 2026.
This connection could be beneficial for Tsunoda, providing a path to a team that aligns with his support for the Japanese manufacturer.
Amidst these discussions, Perez’s future with Red Bull remains uncertain.
Despite indications that he may keep his seat for another year, team principal Christian Horner has not definitively confirmed his continuation.
This ongoing uncertainty, combined with Tsunoda’s improved form and the financial consequences of Perez’s mistakes, such as the costly accident in Monaco, continues to fuel the debate over what would be the best strategic move for Red Bull in the coming seasons.
