Sergio Perez was in deep trouble of losing his Red Bull seat after his disappointing performance last year. He started the season well but could not finish as well as he would have liked. After the first four races in 2023, both the drivers of the Austrian outfit had two wins in their bags. But from the Miami Grand Prix last year, Checo just lost it. Max Verstappen went on to win 19 races in 2023. The Mexican driver ended with just two wins. Moreover, he had a lot of trouble during the qualifying sessions. Checo had a lot of DNFs during the second half of the 2023 season.
As a result, there was a huge gap between the two Red Bull drivers last year. Even then, the Milton Keynes outfit managed to finish 2023 with a one-two season. That was their first one-two finish of a season. However, the Austrian outfit has been looking for replacements for the Mexican driver. The only way Checo could save his Red Bull seat was getting better at qualifying sessions. Nevertheless, at present, it seems Perez can cost the reigning champions the 2024 constructor titles.
How Sergio Perez Can Make Things Difficult For Red Bull In The Constructor Standings?
Recently, in an interview with the Nailing the Apex podcast, an F1 pundit Tim Hauraney, mentioned that he has news that would draw the attention of Christian Horner to the current constructor standings. Clearly, Red Bull is taking a look at the grid, and they are eyeing back-to-back constructor titles. But it might not be as easy as it looks like last year. Ferrari is closer than ever to Red Bull this year. It is because the two drivers of the Maranello team have been pretty consistent so far in 2024. But that has not been the case with Red Bull. Max Verstappen is doing what he does best, dominating the grid. However, his teammate Sergio Perez has been a disappointment yet again. Like last year, the Mexican driver started the season on a positive note.
But he is again beginning to have problems during the qualifying sessions. And that’s not good news for Christian Horner’s team. Moreover, Hauraney mentioned on the podcast, “It’s not happening right now.” RBR is at 268 points after the victory in Imola. But the Prancing Horse is right there with 212 points. Hence, it is closer than ever. The Italian team is right on the tails of Red Bull. Moreover, after the win in Miami, McLaren is catching them up in the constructor standings. Hence, things could not have been tighter this year.
Christian Horner Might Have To Let Checo Go After This Year
There is a good possibility that there might be no contract extension for the Mexican Driver at the Austrian outfit. Last year was a big setback for Checo as his qualifying performances kept deteriorating. It could have cost the Milton Keynes team the constructor title. But it did not. That’s what saved his seat this year. But his contract ends this year.
Hence, there is a good possibility that Max Verstappen might have a new teammate next year. If Checo keeps getting worse during qualifying sessions this year, eventually, he will end up costing Red Bull the constructor title. Then, Horner, reluctantly enough, will have to let Sergio Perez go.
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