Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 Future Under Evaluation Amid Slump
Helmut Marko, advisor to Red Bull’s Formula 1 team, has revealed that Sergio Perez’s place on the team will be “evaluated” during the upcoming summer break. This comes amidst Perez’s ongoing struggles, which continued at Silverstone where he finished a disappointing 17th place, a lap behind the leaders.
Perez’s recent slump has seen him score a mere 15 points across the last six rounds, leaving him a massive 137 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen. Rumors have been circulating that there are clauses related to points in his deal, which could lead to his contract being terminated if he falls more than 100 points behind.
Marko confirmed that such reports are correct, stating that internal conversations about Perez’s prospects at Red Bull will take place during the shutdown.
“All Formula 1 contracts have exit clauses, most of them related to performance or let’s say for the top drivers,” Marko told GrandPrix247. “We will have an evaluation during the summer break and then we will make a decision.”
One potential replacement for Perez could be Daniel Ricciardo, who is currently driving for McLaren. However, Ricciardo’s inconsistent form this season has created no guarantees that he will remain on the grid. Marko has claimed that Red Bull shareholders desire to see youth, which could pave the way for Liam Lawson, the team’s reserve driver, to take Perez’s place.
Lawson, who deputized for Ricciardo last season, sampled the RB20 at Silverstone this week. When asked whether Lawson would be ushered through should Perez lose his drive, Marko responded:
“First we have to see. Lawson is testing at Silverstone on Thursday. And yeah, so two more races and there will be more outings with Lawson. There’s also Yuki Tsunoda who is doing very well.”
Marko suggested that Red Bull might avoid promoting Lawson to the parent team, instead placing him at RB to avoid him being burned alongside Verstappen. The Austrian also commended Red Bull prospect Arvid Lindblad, who has impressed in Formula 3 this year, registering six wins to sit third in the standings.
“First of all, I’m not looking for a new Max because Max is unique,” Marko explained. “And it will be difficult for anyone to be his teammate. We have a situation where our second driver unfortunately isn’t performing as he should. So we will have an evaluation in the summer break of what we are going to do.”
Marko hinted that Lindblad, who is only 16 years old, might be given a year at RB before being promoted to Red Bull Racing.
“Maybe Lawson or Lindblad will be ready in two or three years for Red Bull Racing. Not sure if Max will be racing at the time. If Max feels he doesn’t enjoy F1 anymore, he doesn’t want it, he will come to us and say thank you, that’s it.”
Formula 1 fans will be closely watching the developments at Red Bull over the summer break, as the team weighs its options for the future. With Perez’s place under evaluation, it remains to be seen who will be driving alongside Verstappen come the next Formula 1 season.
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