Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez will be wishing that the 2024 Formula 1 season would come to an end after another disappointing race at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Sergio Perez was eliminated in the first section of qualifying for the Sprint Race and Franco Colapinto got the better of the Mexican coming out of the pit lane.
Ted Kravitz was left embarrassed for Perez after the Sprint event at the Qatar Grand Prix turned into a testing event for the 34-year-old.
Perez’s preparations for Sunday’s Grand Prix were an improvement, qualifying ninth, even if teammate Max Verstappen set the fastest time of the session.
Verstappen overtook George Russell going into the first corner and went on to win his ninth Grand Prix of the season.
He even had time to report Lando Norris speeding under yellow flags that ended up compromising his race and making the Constructors’ Championship even more exciting heading into the finale in Abu Dhabi.
Unfortunately for Perez, he couldn’t take advantage of his top-10 start or the fact he was running in P5 at one point.
He spun out behind the safety car and was forced to retire, leaving Perez marooned in eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.
Perez’s seat at Red Bull is under pressure as a result of his poor performances and even though he has a contract for 2025, there’s no guarantee he’ll be on the grid next season.
The Mexican was spotted with the boss of the rival Audi team Mattia Binotto and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was trying to keep his options open for the future in case he’s let go.
Sergio Perez spotted speaking to Audi boss Mattia Binotto on the Qatar Grand Prix grid
Perez will be pleased that all three drivers linked with potentially replacing him at Red Bull in 2025 all failed to finish in the points.
A bizarre decision from RB to put both of their drivers on the soft tyres for the final stint of the race gave them no chance of scoring points.
Zhou Guanyu tried that strategy during the Sprint Race, but after 10 laps was dropping away from the rest of the grid and was forced to pit during the shortened event.
READ MORE: Who is Sauber and Audi F1 chief Mattia Binotto? Everything to know
Yuki Tsunoda was heard questioning the decision on his team radio after running in the points earlier in the race.
It was a race to forget for Liam Lawson after spinning and picking up a penalty, while fellow Red Bull hopeful Franco Colapinto was taken out going around the outside of the first corner.
That being said, before the race began, journalist Lewis Larkam pictured Perez with Binotto and said: “Sauber/Audi chief Mattia Binotto wishes Sergio Perez well before the start of the #QatarGP #F1”
Sergio Perez turned down offers from two teams this season despite Red Bull contract
Perez admitted in November that he had two chances to change teams going into next year.
In an interview with GQ, he said: “I had an opportunity, two opportunities, to change teams.
“When I looked at it, I thought, I really love the challenge I have at Red Bull.
“It’s a massive challenge being Max’s teammate. It’s a challenge that basically trains you for all of it.
“So, I said I want to spend my last part of my career at the top, at the very top, where the pressure, it’s full-on.”
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
Before he signed his new contract, Perez was linked with signing for Audi, although they had already signed Nico Hulkenberg.
For months, speculation continued about whether Audi would opt for a young driver to race alongside Hulkenberg, or if they would bring in a more experienced star.
Sam Bird thinks Perez’s treatment at Red Bull is ‘unhealthy’ given the amount of speculation surrounding his future.
Whatever he was speaking to Binotto about, although it’s unlikely to be his future, maintaining those relationships in the paddock can never be a bad thing.
Although Sauber were never going to add to their single F1 victory in Qatar, Binotto will at least be celebrating Zhou scoring their first points of the season.
