The last time Sergio Perez stood on a podium, Red Bull was still a dominant team, Max Verstappen was leading the drivers, and Adrian Newey was part of the Milton Keynes-based outfit. It has been a long-stretched slump for the Mexican racer, which didn’t end even at his home circuit. The only time Perez has appeared competitive since the China GP was in Azerbaijan, which unfortunately ended with a crash. Besides Checo’s shoddy performances, his couple of crashes have also hampered Red Bull’s cost cap, pushing them on the back foot.
Therefore, the chimes of sacking the Mexican racer are louder than ever, and Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are waiting for a promotion. Due to Checo’s persistent struggles, the defending champions have sulked to the third spot, and Ferrari has leaped ahead in the constructors’ standings. However, Red Bull could see a wild card entry as a new video of Christian Horner visiting Williams’s facility surfaces.
Christian Horner In Talks With Williams To Replace Sergio Perez With Franco Colapinto
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner recently sparked intrigue as he was seen leaving Williams F1’s hospitality area during the Brazilian Grand Prix on Friday, amid speculation about Red Bull’s interest in rising talent Franco Colapinto. The young Argentine driver, impressed with his remarkable performances since debuting at the Italian Grand Prix, has become a standout across the F1 grid. The 21-year-old joined Williams in Monza, stepping in for Logan Sargeant, and has since delivered a solid five points across five races.
However, with Williams already committed to Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon for 2025, Colapinto won’t be racing with them next season. Recognizing his potential, Red Bull has expressed interest in bringing Colapinto into the fold. The Austrian team is reportedly considering him for a potential seat in its affiliate team, VCARB F1, should Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson move up to Red Bull’s senior lineup.
Ahead of practice in Brazil, social media buzzed with clips of Horner departing Williams’ hospitality area after what seemed like a meeting with Williams team principal James Vowles. During the previous race weekend in Mexico, Horner had mentioned to AMUS that Red Bull was keeping an eye on Colapinto, noting the young driver’s unexpected and impressive performance relative to initial expectations from Formula 2.
“Performance-based Business” Christian Horner Warns Sergio Perez
During the post-race media session following the Mexican Grand Prix, Christian Horner addressed questions about Sergio Perez’s recent performance struggles and the team’s future lineup. The Red Bull team principal highlighted that Formula 1 is fundamentally a performance-driven arena. If Perez’s challenges persist, Horner indicated that Red Bull’s leadership might face a “difficult decision” regarding his position—a statement that could mark a pivotal moment in Perez’s F1 journey.
Perez, racing on home soil, had an opportunity to boost Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship after Oscar Piastri’s collision with George Russell. Unfortunately, Perez struggled to find his footing in the RB20, ultimately failing to score points, while Piastri managed to finish in P8. This missed chance has only intensified scrutiny around Perez’s performance and future with Red Bull.
