Sergio Perez’s Struggles Under Scrutiny Amid Latest Formula 1 Slump
As the Formula 1 season heats up, Sergio Perez’s recent performances with Red Bull have come under intense scrutiny. The Mexican driver’s latest slump has sparked concerns within the team, particularly as rival teams pose a greater challenge.
Perez was brought on board in 2021 to provide a consistent support to Max Verstappen, banking podiums and wins to help Red Bull conquer the constructors’ world championship. However, while Verstappen has mastered the machinery, Perez has struggled to extract the maximum out of the peaky cars, often finding it difficult to find a comfortable balance in free practice.
The 2024 season initially looked promising, with Perez claiming three runner-up spots to Verstappen, earning him a contract extension until 2026. However, since Miami, his mid-season slump has returned, and he hasn’t found the podium since.
“A recent low point came at the Austrian Grand Prix, where Perez qualified eighth and finished seventh, beaten by Nico Hulkenberg to sixth. This has led to intense scrutiny of his performances, raising questions about how they stack up to his predecessors as Verstappen’s team-mate.”
A comparison of the average qualifying gap between Verstappen and his team-mates reveals that Perez’s struggles are not new. In fact, he has always been a good chunk off Verstappen’s lap times. However, with the field now much closer, both he and Red Bull are starting to pay a bigger price on the results sheet.
Perez’s best season relative to Verstappen was 2022, but his form also dipped as the weight came off the car and it grew more to his team-mate’s liking. The Mexican’s current struggles have led to comparisons with Gasly and Albon, who were ousted for not being up to the task. Only Daniel Ricciardo was ever able to keep Verstappen honest, and since Ricciardo’s departure, Red Bull has struggled to find a like-for-like replacement for the Australian.
Red Bull’s choice to play safe with Perez instead of bringing in someone like Carlos Sainz is starting to hurt, and the 34-year-old needs to dig himself out of his hole soon. With McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari consistently qualifying ahead of Perez, Red Bull is back to square one in its search for a reliable number two.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Perez to see if he can turn his fortunes around and provide the support Verstappen needs to maintain Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ standings. With the Formula 1 news spotlight firmly on him, Perez must rise to the challenge and prove his worth as a reliable wingman.
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