Red Bull faces a decision at the end of the season over whether they decide to axe Sergio Perez after a poor run of form.
Rumours regarding Perez’s future have been swirling all season after what has been a lacklustre year for the Mexican, costing Red Bull a chance of defending their Constructors’ title.
Despite a strong start to the season with three one-two’s to Max Verstappen and four podiums, his form has dipped dramatically with the last four races seeing him finish in the top ten places just once.
The Mexican has also not finished inside the top five since the Miami Grand Prix in early May, which was 18 races ago. All indications seem as though Perez will be out after Abu Dhabi, with Red Bull already choosing Liam Lawson as a replacement.
When discussing the situation on Sky Sports F1 (07/12 11:50am), Martin Brundle feels there is no obvious solution because of one simple factor at Red Bull.
Martin Brundle blames Max Verstappen’s ‘brilliance’ for lack of Sergio Perez Plan-B at Red Bull
Red Bull comfortably took their fourth Drivers’ Championship in a row with Verstappen this year, despite some competition from McLaren and Lando Norris.
This year Verstappen has been one of the best drivers in what has arguably been the third quickest car for the majority of the season, as the field has converged with upgrades.
Brundle thinks this regular form has impacted Red Bull, since they did not feel the need to make a replacement for Perez earlier in the season despite the signs being there last year.
“Red Bull are paying the price for having the brilliance of Max Verstappen in the team. They don’t really have the obvious solution,” said Brundle.
Is the decision in Sergio Perez’s court for 2025?
Although Red Bull has chosen a successor to Perez for 2025, it appears the decision is not entirely in their hands.
Perez has signed a contract for the 2025 season, and it is said that the Mexican would need to be paid millions to be released from those obligations.
The Mexican brings in several millions of pounds worth of sponsorship, including ties to Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim who owns brands such as Telemex.
Christian Horner has told Perez that he must ‘come to his own conclusions’ over 2025, while Nico Rosberg also agrees with Brundle that there is no obvious solution to his replacement.
Red Bull will have a summit after the Abu Dhabi GP to determine whether they will proceed with Perez next season, but all signs indicate that it could be in the Mexican’s hands rather than theirs.
