According to team boss Horner “unsustainable”
Red Bull star Pérez must fear immediate dismissal
18.07.2024, 07:11 a.m.
Red Bull’s dominance is history, the Formula 1 dominators must prepare themselves for a change at the top – and are therefore considering a short-term driver change. For Sergio Pérez, this weekend may therefore be a matter of all or nothing.
Sergio Pérez also spent time with his family to recharge his batteries for the potentially decisive Grand Prix that will determine whether he stays at Red Bull. “Taking time away from the noise of the racetrack can sometimes be particularly important,” says the 34-year-old Mexican, who is under enormous pressure at the world champion team. Team boss Christian Horner even described Pérez’s recent form as “unsustainable.” He finished second to last in qualifying (19th) and in the race (17th) at Silverstone.
He can hardly be counted out any more, but Pérez himself will not throw in the towel either. While his teammate Max Verstappen is at the top of the Formula 1 World Championship standings with 255 points, he has not even half that number. Pérez has collected just 118, and the 2023 vice world champion is in sixth place in the standings. After four podiums in the first five races, the veteran recently finished eighth twice, seventh once, and retired twice before the Silverstone debacle fueled the debate.
Pérez is threatening to become a hindrance, particularly in the battle for the team rankings, which determine the distribution of TV revenue to the racing teams. Red Bull’s (373 points) lead over Ferrari (302) and McLaren (295) has recently shrunk, and Mercedes (221) has also shown clear improvement with two wins in a row in Austria and Great Britain. The Red Bull is no longer the only car capable of winning, and the McLaren in particular currently seems to be at least on par.
“We also need two drivers at the front with a view to the constructors’ championship, and we still hope that Sergio Pérez will find his form again,” wrote Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko on the in-house online platform speedweek.com ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix this Sunday. (3 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de).
And he announced that they would evaluate the situation during the summer break “and then we’ll see.” Like Horner, he also praised Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar, who took over Pérez’s car in the first practice session at Silverstone. The Frenchman leads the Formula 2 standings – the prime springboard for the premier class of motorsport – and could be promoted in 2025. In addition, 22-year-old Liam Liawson from New Zealand is another talent waiting for his chance as a regular driver.