Red Bull has issued a big update on the status of struggling driver Sergio Perez.
The Mexican racer has been in poor form for the defending Formula One constructors’ champions this season, a trend that continued at last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he finished tenth.
F1 HEADLINES: Hamilton Mercedes release, as statement confirms latest team update. Sunday’s result followed a terrible qualifying session the day before, when he was eliminated in Q1 after finishing 16th quickest.
With only two races remaining this season, Perez is tenth in the 2024 drivers’ standings, having collected just 49 points in his last 16 appearances.
Despite receiving a new contract early in the campaign, pressure has mounted on the 34-year-old to keep his seat next year. Will Perez be at Red Bull in 2025?
The 34-year-old’s continuous troubles have allowed McLaren and Ferrari to overtake Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, with the title holders now expected to finish third.
Though teammate Max Verstappen, who won his fourth consecutive championship in Las Vegas, has struggled at times to get the most out of his car in 2024, he has continued to gain significant points, unlike his more experienced competitor.
Christian Horner, the team’s president, has been supportive of Perez throughout the season, but his patience appears to be wearing thin.
The team’s junior RB tandem, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, have been mentioned as potential replacements for Perez if Red Bull decides to make a change for next season, so the pressure is surely on Perez.
However, Helmut Marko has acknowledged that any negotiations over Perez’s future with Red Bull will not take place until after the finale in Abu Dhabi on December 8, stating that the decision on whether he will be replaced will be made after the final race in 2024.
When questioned by OE24 if Perez will compete with Verstappen in 2025, the Red Bull advisor
said: “That will be decided after the final in Abu Dhabi.
“In any case, Checo is acting as if he would drive for us for another year.”
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