Mexican driver Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, despite his claims to the contrary. He will have to wait until the end of the year to find out if Red Bull will retain him or replace him.
No matter how hard one looks, it’s in vain. There are no numbers, no statistics that argue in favor of the unfortunate Perez. The only saving grace might be his brilliant, incisive, and virile overtaking move in the final turn of Las Vegas last Sunday, the very place where Leclerc had humiliated him in 2023. Unfortunately, this was only for a modest 10th place on the day his teammate clinched his fourth crown.
It’s not much if one wants to advocate for the Mexican and try to defend the indefensible. The last time he finished ahead of his champion teammate? Baku, last year, which means forty consecutive races where Verstappen has outshone the other Red Bull. We won’t even mention the number of Q2s not passed by the Guadalajara native this season (10 out of 22), which would be too painful and would have long since sent any other driver to the scrapheap of memories.
A Contract Extension That Didn’t Have the Expected Effect
There is therefore nothing to justify his retention in a team that has been world champion for the past two years and that will, due to his fault, lose this lucrative constructors’ crown for its employees. Yet, everything had been done to put the driver in the best possible conditions. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have seen, and experienced, how his majesty Max could break his teammates and their confidence. Only Daniel Ricciardo has been able to resist this ruthless Dutch driving. And even then, because he was facing a still-developing talent monster.
By mutual agreement between the team boss and the driver manager, it was decided to extend his contract early in the season for two years, in order to quell rumors. This act of faith in his driving skills clearly did not have the desired effect. Since this declaration, if not of love, at least of respect, he has not stepped onto a podium and has not even scored significant points (best result since June 4: 6th).
Was the crash in Hungary the last straw for Perez?
Since then, rumors about his future have been rife, oscillating between a departure after the Abu Dhabi race, being replaced by Lawson, or being retained, thanks to the support of Carlos Slim, the Mexican billionaire, who has always backed his driver since his single-seater debut. Helmut Marko, who would like nothing more than to see Sergio Perez leave, calmly blasted him after the Vegas race. “We will have a meeting after the last GP,” declared the Austrian in executioner mode. “And it is with these figures that we will present to the shareholders that a decision will be made. If Checo was only at the level of the Mercedes, we could fight for the title.”
Even the promoter of the Mexican GP has abandoned him
It is therefore understandable that Perez’s days are more than numbered. And this, even if a check were to try to appease the bosses of Red Bull’s parent company. Even the promoter of the Mexico City GP has abandoned him, telling us a month ago that his race would survive without any problem without the national driver.
Perez, for his part, continues to believe in his chances despite the cold wind blowing over Qatar and his future. “I have been in this sport for 14 years, I will not make any comment,” he has repeatedly stated in the face of a barrage of questions at press conferences. “I know where I stand and I am 100% certain to be driving in F1 next year.” Words only commit those who believe in them. The numbers, however, never lie. And Christian Horner was once again spotted last week at Williams negotiating the arrival of Franco Colapinto (21 years old), another major sponsor provider, this time from Argentina.
