Red Bull suddenly despairs of runner-up Perez
Since he signed a new contract with Red Bull until the end of 2026, things have not been going well for Sergio Pérez. This could still lead to personnel changes at the Formula-1 racing team. No decision has been made yet. And another question.
Sergio Pérez is now under special observation at Red Bull. The Formula-1 vice world champion from Mexico has been in a slump, and he will have to attack from the back at the British Grand Prix (16 hours at Sky and on the ntv.de-Liveticker)*. He was the first driver to go out with slicks in the wet conditions in the qualifying session and ended up in the gravel. "It was a stupid mistake," admitted the 34-year-old, finishing 19th. "Everything is coming together," said Red Bull's motor racing advisor Helmut Marko on Sky.
An apology can only be made for the fact that Pérez was the first driver to go out with slicks in the wet. He also unfortunately got the rear wheels into the wet. "He is under pressure. You can see it in all his gestures," Marko assessed. But that doesn't help him get out of his slump. "Nobody will be more disappointed than he himself," said team boss Christian Horner: "That's not what we can afford right now."
At the beginning of June, Red Bull extended the contract with the 34-year-old driver from Guadalajara until the end of 2026. "And since he signed the contract, there have been a few not-so-good races," Marko noted. "It's all about performance, and no one is exempted." The constructors' world championship, in which the results of both drivers count, is also very important, Marko emphasized: "Because all the bonuses paid to the employees depend on the placement in the constructors' world championship."
Personnel changes could be coming for the sister team Racing Point, which could then affect Red Bull. We will analyze the entire situation during the summer break in August and take necessary steps, Marko said. "It's clear to our shareholders that Racing Point is a junior team." The media have recently reported that the 36-year-old Daniel Ricciardo might take over Pérez's place next year to make room for the New Zealander Liam Lawson (22) and the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (24). Whether Lawson is a candidate for the seat next to Max Verstappen at Red Bull is open.
- Despite the rumors of a possible driver change due to Perez's struggles, Red Bull stands by their contract with the Vice World Champion from Mexico until 2026.
- Amidst the Red Bull team's discussions concerning potential personnel changes, rumors suggest that Daniel Ricciardo might replace Perez next year, allowing space for New Zealander Liam Lawson and Japanese Yuki Tsunoda.
- In the wake of Perez's 19th place finish at the British Grand Prix and his mistake with slicks in the wet qualifying, Red Bull's motor racing advisor Helmut Marko deems the pressure on Perez evident, yet stresses that nobody, including the Red Bull driver, can afford to slip up in their performance goals.
