Competing in Formula 1 is incredibly difficult over a season with 24 demanding races, making it more taxing.
Beating your teammate is critical as that particular driver is the only one with exactly the same team and car around him across a race weekend.
Formula 1 is so competitive that very fine margins separate the field due to measures such as the cost cap helping to shrink the gap between the top cars and the rest of the field.
The front of the field in particular leaves no room for error as the top four teams have converged throughout the ground effect regulations which were introduced in 2022.
Jolyon Palmer explained ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that one driver in particular has struggled this season with a lot of difficulties, and he needs to leave the championship.
Sergio Perez has been ‘miserable’ this season and ‘has to go’
Sergio Perez, who has won six races in his career, has floundered this season and has been a significant part of Red Bull’s struggles in the Constructors’ Championship as they sit in a distant third place.
The Mexican driver started well but hasn’t scored a podium finish since the Chinese Grand Prix in April as his teammate Max Verstappen cantered to a fourth world championship.
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Perez does have a contract for next season but is under pressure, particularly from Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who are impressive at RB.
Palmer feels it would be best for Red Bull to part ways with Perez and he said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “I don’t think Perez will be at Red Bull next year. His performances have been miserable this season – the last time he scored meaningful points was Miami. His team-mate won the championship with two rounds left – Perez has to go.”
Lawson and Tsunoda are options for Red Bull, but neither have experienced a battle at the front of the field, which may complicate life alongside Verstappen.
Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson would likely struggle alongside Max Verstappen
Verstappen has set such a high standard in Formula 1 and he has comfortably beaten Perez as well as Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly who couldn’t match the Dutchman.
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has doubts over both Tsunoda and Lawson but Red Bull overlooked Carlos Sainz which left them with very few options.
Neither driver have experience in a top team and Lawson is yet to compete in a full Formula 1 season despite cameos at Red Bull’s junior team over the past couple of years.
Competing against Verstappen could be damaging for either driver so early in their career, and a lacklustre performance at Red Bull may hurt their chances of returning to a top team.
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