“It happens too often” worry shared about Sergio Perez
Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez has been the subject of intense discussion in the world of Formula 1 due to the frequency with which he loses valuable points. Although he recently signed a new contract with the team, guaranteeing he will remain alongside Max Verstappen until 2025, concerns about his consistency continue to grow.
In the last few races, especially in Monaco and Canada, Perez performed below expectations, failing to advance from Q1 and failing to finish either race. Former world champion Damon Hill expressed his concerns on the Sky F1 podcast, describing Perez’s recent performances as “an absolute nightmare”. Hill noted that Perez went from being a few tenths behind Verstappen, offering solid support, to facing a series of on-track catastrophes.
The irony of the situation is that despite these inconsistent performances, Red Bull chose to renew Perez’s contract, ignoring other potential options on the market. Naomi Schiff, also commenting on the situation, suggested that the decision to keep Perez may have been influenced by the need to keep Verstappen happy. “There is a feeling that the contract was given to Checo to keep Max happy and not put in another driver who could take points away from Max,” said Schiff. She highlighted that teams with two fast drivers often face internal challenges that can result in the loss of important points.
Schiff also questioned whether the frequency of Perez’s failures was hurting the team. Hill agreed, emphasizing that Red Bull should focus on supporting Perez to improve his performance. “They need to help Checo, give him all the support to move up the grid,” said Hill. He suggested that improvements in decision-making and support during qualifications could help Perez make the most of his potential.
Perez’s contract renewal also raised questions about Red Bull’s strategy. Schiff expressed surprise at the two-year deal, suggesting there may be a strategic component to keeping Verstappen at the team. “There are still rumors that Max could go to Mercedes,” said Schiff, indicating that signing a driver like Carlos Sainz could push Verstappen further away from Red Bull.
For Red Bull, the key now is finding a balance between keeping its drivers happy and ensuring the best performance on track. The 2024 season will be crucial in determining whether faith in Perez will be rewarded with consistent results or whether the team will need to reconsider its strategy. With pressure mounting, all eyes will be on Perez and his ability to turn the tide and justify renewing his contract.
