Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has issued a stark warning to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, cautioning that Perez could face an uncertain future similar to Daniel Ricciardo unless he markedly improves his performance.
Red Bull’s decision to replace Ricciardo speaks volumes about the high performance standards within the team. The Australian driver, who managed to score 12 points throughout this season so far, was originally seen as the primary alternative to Perez. However, his recent form has not been enough to secure his seat, paving the way for Lawson, whose arrival may temporarily quiet concerns about Perez’s future.
Perez has faced countless setbacks this season. During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he was on course for a podium finish but ultimately lost out after a clash with Carlos Sainz on the penultimate lap of the race. Further struggles in Singapore saw him eliminated in Q2 and finishing in 10th place.
Coulthard’s analysis sheds light on the expectations Perez must meet to maintain his spot on the team. Speaking to the media, the former Red Bull driver explained:
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“He did brilliantly in Baku, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer.
“One good result is not what you expect from your… He’s clearly the number two driver in that team.
“There was so much relief, I think, off the back of Baku. And then here it’s a bit back to reality.
“If he doesn’t keep getting some solid points in the remainder of the year, then, like Daniel Ricciardo looks like he’s in the way out the door, that could be the same situation for Perez.”
Speaking about the ongoing struggles within the Red Bull team, Horner commented:
“I think if we really delve deep into the data, we can actually see hints of it from Barcelona last year.
“And I think the problem is, Max’s talent is so good that he’s able to mask some of the issues, particularly on the way into corner entries and that’s where Checo has really struggled in comparison to his team-mate.
“When the downforce came off the cars in Monza, both of them had identical issues, and it really highlighted where the key issues were in the car.
“So, obviously Checo is more sensitive. But you know, I think if we can give them both a better car, they’ll both be in a better position.”
There have also been rumors circulating that Perez could be announcing his retirement from Formula 1 at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. However, this has not been confirmed by either the driver or the team.
