If you’ve been paying attention today, you’ll notice that we (along with the rest of the paddock and the media) are keeping an unusually close eye on Sergio Pérez.
Earlier this year, Checo was doing everything you’d expect from a Max Verstappen teammate, racking up podiums and helping Red Bull maintain its recent monopoly on the Constructors’ Championship. Those performances earned him a contract extension. Since then (and even just before it was terminated), his performances have plummeted – and the timing is definitely not good.
As Luke wrote in a recent story:
“But since Miami, Perez’s performances have not been as good as they were at the start of the season. He has only reached Q3 twice in the last five races, retired in Monaco (due to a collision with Kevin Magnussen, which could have been avoided had he not retired in Q1) and Canada, and has failed to finish higher than seventh in that period.
“Perez’s decline coincides with McLaren’s improved performance, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri regularly scoring big points. The 115-point gap after Miami has shrunk to 87 points, with Red Bull only outscoring McLaren once in that five-race period.”
But, you might ask, what about that contract? Well, Red Bull’s deal with sister team RB means that even after re-signing Checo, the team can demote him if they want and bring in someone like Liam Lawson in his place.
So yeah, that’s why we’re keeping an eye on him.
GO FURTHER
Sergio Perez tests Red Bull F1 confidence with new mistake, McLaren on the rise
