Sergio Perez is in a tough situation at Red Bull as questions remain over his position.
The Mexican driver is in poor form – particularly in qualifying. The Mexican driver has been dumped out of Q1 and retired in the previous two Grand Prix.
His last podium was in China in late April and, as their competitors close in, he is increasingly looking like a man out of his depth.
“The first part of the race was compromised with the damage and the second part of the race was looking a lot better,” he said reflecting on Montréal.
“Unfortunately, that meant that I was coming back and ended up making a mistake in turn six, which was one of the most difficult corners,”
“You know, there is a long season. Two races ago, we’ve been on form, so there is no doubt that I cannot be back to that level.”
Fighting words from the ever-positive Checo Perez. But we cannot ignore the elephant in the room.
Max Verstappen is continuing to win.
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Teammate domination
Perez has spoken about the team struggling for performance.
After the race in Canada, he told formu1a.uno:
“It’s natural, you know, it’s the third year of the same regulations. It’s natural that teams are getting closer to us.“
“We are finding it harder, as well, to find performance. But yeah, we know where our biggest chunk of performances is going to come from.”
However, it is hard for even the most loyal supporter of Red Bull to agree with that.
Okay, there has been more competition at the front this year – and as fans we couldn’t be happier.
But Max Verstappen is still winning races.
While his teammate falters, the Dutchman has been off the podium once this year. An off-day in Monaco where the team, uncharacteristically, couldn’t get the car working.
Verstappen even admitted that it came down to the ‘right calls’ in Canada – but Red Bull still made them.
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Perez is right to say that Red Bull have struggled to unlock as much pace in the car as last year.
It’s clear that the upgrades are not as strong as 2023, but the car itself is still good.
More than capable of challenging the Ferrari’s and McLaren’s on race day – when in the right hands.
Horner ‘needs’ Perez to improve
I was surprised to hear Perez had earned a new contract at the team.
With the mega-driver pairings shaping up in 2025, I thought Red Bull might go down a similar route.
Instead, they went for the safe option. Although an option that Verstappen has called the ‘best thing’ for Red Bull.
Of course, it is in Red Bull’s interest to keep their star boy happy at the moment.
Controversy has clouded the team this year, and rumours swirled early in the season about the Dutchman’s departure.
That seems to have gone quiet now – but it wouldn’t surprise me if Verstappen had more power in the team than before. His dad too for that matter.
Speaking after Canada, Horner had this to say about Perez’s form to formu1a.uno:
“It was, however, a horrible weekend for Checo. But thankfully, Ferrari didn’t score with either of their cars, and we were able to mitigate the damage.
“We’ll assess the car once we get back to Europe, and Checo will put this weekend behind him.
“We know that he’s incredibly resilient and will dust himself off and come back fighting in Barcelona.”
(Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Whilst the divisive team principal clearly has faith in his driver, he might be praying rather than believing.
Perez’s last win came in Baku 2023. A long time considering the pace of his car.
At 34-years-old it might be the case that he has peaked. A fine extension to his career after being so close to being dropped by the Racing Point team in 2020.
On the other hand, if this is a slump he needs to find a way out soon.
Red Bull’s advantage has papered over the cracks, but it looks like their domination could be at an end.
When that day comes, Horner may not be so gracious on his praise for the Mexican driver.
Who were the other options?
Red Bull were not short of options and the seat is still a coveted one.
Inside the stable, Daniel Ricciardo remains, and is on a high after silencing the critics in Canada.
Yuki Tsunoda recently signed his own contract extension which could set him up for the seat in the long-term if he continues to develop.
But Carlos Sainz was the name on a lot of people’s minds.
After being unfairly dumped in favour of Lewis Hamilton, he is a quality driver without a seat on the grid next year.
I’m sure he’ll get deal soon, but I believe his talents deserve better than Audi or Williams.
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
For Checo. the best thing to do is to drive fast. He needs to win the fans and his team over again.
Rumours that he is no longer Helmut Marko’s driver have been making the rounds already this week.
The Spanish GP weekend – which starts two weeks today – will provide an opportunity for him to show what he can do.
The more traditional track layout should suit Red Bull as well but time is running out for the Mexican driver though.
Either he starts to improve or the team will pull the trigger on another mid-season driver swap.
Dr Marko will probably even drive him to the airport.