Naomi Schiff is ‘tired’ of criticising four-DNF F1 driver who’s had an ’embarrassing’ 2024 season

The 2024 Formula 1 season heads into the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi with the drivers’ champion already crowned.

Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive drivers’ title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix having put the title out of reach for Lando Norris with his stunning victory from P17 the round prior in Sao Paulo.

The Dutchman has not had the fastest car for much of the season as Red Bull have fallen behind McLaren and Ferrari in performance. However, Verstappen has displayed why he is the best driver on the grid by doing what was required – getting his RB20 up the field and grabbing solid results.

But while the 27-year-old has won nine races in 2024 and secured the championship, the story could not be more different on the other side of the Red Bull garage.

Sergio Perez has desperately struggled this season in what is his worst year with Red Bull, currently sitting eighth in the standings having not finished on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix.

His difficulties with the Red Bull machinery have been made very apparent with his recent performances, having only finished higher than 10th once in the last seven races.

Naomi Schiff is ‘tired’ of criticising Sergio Perez after his ’embarrassing’ 2024 season

Red Bull had hoped that by offering Perez a new two-year contract, he would improve his fortunes. If anything, his performances have since got worse.

The Mexican retired in bizarre fashion at the Qatar Grand Prix by spinning off under the safety car and losing drive. Jolyon Palmer was really confused by Perez’s DNF in what was his fourth non-finish of the 2024 season.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Perez’s struggles have been hard to watch for Red Bull as they are now officially out of the running for the Constructors’ Championship after Qatar. The team are weighing up their options as they look at potentially replacing the 34-year-old before 2025.

It has also been tough for pundit Naomi Schiff, who speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, outlined that that she is ‘tired’ of constantly ‘kicking a man that’s already down’, but Perez’s poor performances have given her ‘nothing else to say.’

“There was still some glimmer of hope in it all, but now it just seems like the longest run of terrible performances, embarrassing moments and just him trying so hard to turn the situation around and no matter what they’ve done to try, it’s not worked,” he said.

“So, at that point you ask yourself the question, what’s it worth turning up to work, other than the big, big, big cheque that you get! The money is obviously a motivator.

“Even for us it’s tough. I am tired of saying negative things about Checo. At some point, you don’t want to feel like you’re constantly kicking a man that’s already down.

“But there is nothing else to say, it’s just not been a good season for Checo Perez.”

Will Abu Dhabi be Sergio Perez’s final race for Red Bull?

Despite having a contract until at least 2026, it seems more likely than ever that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be Perez’s last outing for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Perez has been told a ‘stunning’ result in Abu Dhabi may save his seat, but it only adds more pressure to the Mexican who is already struggling the more it is put upon him.

Visa Cash App RB drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda will be waiting in the wings for a promotion to the main team if Perez is sacked.

Lawson will have an advantage over Tsunoda in Abu Dhabi as he will be running in FP1, while Tsunoda will give up his car to allow Red Bull junior Ayumu Iwasa to get an outing in an F1 car.

Isack Hadjar is also running in FP1 in Verstappen’s car. The Frenchman is being linked with a promotion to RB if Lawson or Tsunoda is promoted to replace Perez.