Red Bull ace Sergio Perez has not been successful enough to challenge his teammate Max Verstappen. The latter has been too good for every driver on the grid this season. Nobody had a chance with the RB19 car and Verstappen’s combo. Other teams have been struggling with their car more or less in the cost cap era. But if any driver had scope to challenge Max Verstappen this season, it was his teammate, Sergio Perez.
Moreover, Checo gets to drive the same team’s car. However, it seems the car is not enough to win a title after all. Not every driver is as skillful and ruthless as Max Verstappen. Sergio Perez can see the stats and data, but the media are asking questions like why can’t he race on the same level as his teammate is not helping his cause. Moreover, there is new information regarding the tough situation of Checo in Red Bull.
Red Bull Can Downgrade Checo’s Contract If He Finishes 125 Points Behind Max
As per the reports of De Telegraaf, Red Bull has the right to downgrade Sergio Perez’s contract if he finishes 125 points or more behind Max Verstappen. As per the 2022 contract, he is worth 7 million euros cum 3 million euros as incentives. But Checo’s poor performance can lead him to Alpha Tauri, as is what usually happens with most Red Bull drivers. Red Bull can exercise this option until the end of the month. Moreover, it won’t alter the expiration date of the contract in 2024.
The Mexican proved himself the racer to beat in sprint formats since winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. But Sergio Perez disappointed the team and the fans after he lost his grip on the title contention. Moreover, he had multiple Q3 issues in different races. At first, Checo said after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that he had a better understanding of the car than the previous year. But he recently revealed he still has a lot to learn about the RB19 car. Hence, after these failures, it is quite natural that the pressure will increase on any driver. That’s what is happening with Sergio Perez.
Sergio Perez Is Facing Immense Pressure For Being Teammate With Max Verstappen
On the other hand, Sergio Perez often mentioned that it is highly difficult to be a teammate of the Dutchman. However, initially this season, Checo had a brilliant start to the 2023 season. He won two, with his teammate winning a couple as well. Both Red Bull drivers were going on par more or less after the first four races. However, Sergio Perez lost his touch since the Monaco Grand Prix.
Fans expected him to do well in Monte Carlo, as it was a sprint race. In the last race in Spa, Christian Horner joked with Checo that if he did not finish in the top three after qualifying sessions, then he would not speak to him for the rest of the Grand Prix. However, it was the Red Bull boss who recently mentioned that Perez is facing added pressure because of the media.
