Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko and team principal Christian Horner have commented on Sergio Perez’s future with the team. Marko stated that there is no guarantee that Perez will remain in the Formula 1 team beyond 2025, despite Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from RB.
Ricciardo was seen as the main option to replace Perez, but Red Bull announced last week that Liam Lawson would complete the remaining six races of 2024. However, Ricciardo’s exit did not secure Perez’s position, as Horner hinted that Lawson could be considered as Max Verstappen’s partner.
Although Perez signed a multi-year contract at the beginning of the season, this has not been enough to improve his performance. Perez’s struggles have contributed to Red Bull losing its dominance over McLaren. Despite the seat discussions during the summer break, Red Bull gave Perez another chance, but he finished 10th in the last race in Singapore.
As Perez continues to struggle, Horner noted that the decision to make a mid-season driver change at RB revolves around the second driver dilemma. In an interview with the F1 Nation podcast, Horner stated, “We need answers for the bigger picture in terms of drivers.” He added, “The last six races are a perfect opportunity to race Liam alongside Yuki and see what performance he can deliver in the remaining Grand Prix.”
“This Goes Beyond VCARB, It Also Encompasses Red Bull Racing.”
Marko stated, “Honestly, we have a contract with Sergio for next year, but you always have to consider the next step. Will that be Liam?”
Marko argues that there are “no guarantees” in F1. He implied that unless Perez improves his results, his position for next season is not secure, as he lobbies for Lawson to secure a permanent spot on the grid.
He remarked, “In Formula 1, the only guarantee is if you perform adequately.”
Perez had a strong start to the season, securing four podiums in the first five races, helping Red Bull gain a significant advantage over the following pack. However, since the Chinese Grand Prix, Perez has not reached the podium and has been affected by Red Bull’s issues earlier than Verstappen.
Marko acknowledged, “We know Perez has fluctuations. Especially when the car changes quickly, it takes longer for him to adapt. One reason McLaren is currently stronger than us in terms of driver pairings is definitely this. He can do it in terms of speed; he just has fluctuations that are becoming increasingly unpredictable.”
