Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has declined to assure that Sergio Perez will complete the Formula One season with the team after another disappointing performance at his home race on Sunday. Starting in 18th position, Perez finished last on the track following a false start penalty and multiple collisions that left his car damaged. Meanwhile, Red Bull dropped to third place in the constructors' standings after Ferrari's impressive showing, despite Max Verstappen maintaining his lead in the drivers' championship.
When questioned directly about whether Perez would remain with Red Bull for the remainder of the season, Horner did not provide any reassurances for the struggling driver, who is under contract until 2025. His comments hinted that Perez may have raced for the final time in front of his home crowd, as he remarked on the necessity of making tough decisions amidst the team's current challenges. “We’re now third in the constructors' championship. Our determination is to try and get back into a winning position, but it’s going to be a tall order over these next four races,” he stated.
Horner described Perez's weekend as "horrible," acknowledging that nothing seemed to go right for him during the race. He pointed out that Formula One is inherently results-oriented, emphasizing that when a driver is not delivering, the focus inevitably shifts to them. The scrutiny on Perez has intensified as his performance has faltered since May, leading Horner to label him as "under-performing." He reiterated that both cars need to contribute points for the team’s success, and constant evaluation is part of the sport.
While Horner confirmed that Perez would be in Brazil for the next race in the American triple-header, speculation loomed at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez about potential changes in the driver lineup for the final rounds of the season. He assured that Red Bull would continue to support Perez in his efforts to improve but acknowledged that there is only so much the team can do. As the situation remains fluid, the coming races will be crucial for Perez's future with Red Bull.
ADD A COMMENT :