The Red Bull crew had been concerned about Sergio Perez’s situation for quite some time. A squad that once ruled the racing circuit suddenly seems vulnerable. Furthermore, the Milton Keynes-based team may lose the Constructors Cup to McLarem as a result of the Papay crew’s recovery. Thus, the pain of the reigning world champions is far from done.
As a result, speculations about whether Checo will continue to drive for Red Bull were trending. The 2024 season has been full of surprises, from Ferrari signing Hamilton to Newey’s RBR departure. However, Red Bull was more interested in calming the situation instead of doing something different. The Red Bull squad might send another earthquake through the paddock when they finalize the driver roster.
No Guarantee Checo’s Replacement Will Perform Any Better
Sergio Perez, an accomplished racer, made his debut in 2011. With much talent, the Mexican driver was regarded as one of the most adaptable. However, he never lived up to his promise since each season looks identical. The 34-year-old racer begins on a strong note. However, he encounters a stumbling block in the midst of the season, and things go south. It occurred to him this season as well. To worsen RBR’s problems, competing clubs have progressed greatly, while RB20 development has reached its limit. As a result, Red Bull may fail to defend its world title.
However, the Red Bull team made a brave call to retain the Mexican racer despite his poor run. The main contenders for the seat are Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson. However, expecting either of them to step into a challenging car and perform better without pre-season testing or any running seems unrealistic.
The rookie Newzelander, with only five F1 races under his belt, would face an unfair challenge if placed in a Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen. On the other hand, Ricciardo has struggled with quick adaptability to new cars, as observed this season and in general. Given that neither driver is a guaranteed improvement, Red Bull likely decided to continue with Perez.
Red Bull Might Poach A Rival Team’s Driver
Ultimately, it is arguable that this situation serves as a wake-up call for Red Bull, highlighting their miscalculation in managing the driver line-up. The team might use the summer break or the period immediately after to start discussions with other drivers on the grid. An aggressive approach might be necessary to secure a driver who would be an upgrade on Sergio Perez and who is committed to being part of the team for the long term.