While the focus of the season has been on RBR turmoil and Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez’s efforts have gone overlooked. Although the Mexican driver began the season just as Red Bull had hoped, he lost momentum halfway through. This has been Perez’s career story: he starts the season off well but fails to capitalize on his strong start.
Furthermore, Checo’s poor performance disadvantages Red Bull in this world title match. Because Max Verstappen is scoring the most points, Ferrari and McLaren have a chance to close the enormous margin. Thus, Perez’s poor performance may cause the Milton Keynes-based team to reconsider the contract extension decision. But is it legally feasible to terminate Checo after signing a new contract?
Red Bull Might Axe Checo As Their World Title Campaign Feels ‘One-Legged’
The answer to the above question is yes, although it is not as simple as it may appear. However, there are several permutations and combinations that must be worked out before dismissing the present RBR driver. During the ESPN F1 Unlapped Podcast, Nate Saunders revealed the performance clause that might help Perez leave Red Bull smoothly. Saunders stated that every Red Bull driver, from Max Verstappen to Yuki Tsunoda, has a performance clause in their contract. Later, Saunder discussed Nyck De Vries’ contract, which was canceled after five races. Thus, Perez could be the next victim of the performance clause. Earlier in 2023, De Vries joined the struggling Alpha Tauri (now VCRAB) team and failed to leave a mark. Thus, he was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo mid-season, who later got a contract extension till 2024.
Sergio Perez has scored 118 points in eleven races thus far. Perez has secured five podium finishes but hasn’t managed to secure a win, consistently trailing behind his teammate Max Verstappen. While Red Bull wouldn’t mind Checo being in the shadow of Verstappen, they still want him to score points consistently. The stiff competition will not give any breathing space to the reigning champions. Thus, a few underwhelming outings and the leaderboard could turn on its head. Moreover, he failed again to score a point as the Silverstone GP saw him struggle. The Mexican driver is enduring a tough time, and it might end his run at RBR.
Horner Wants Perez To Score Points Amid A String Of Shoddy Performances
Christian Horner emphasized the importance of consistently scoring points, acknowledging that it is unsustainable for the team to miss out on points. He stressed that everyone, especially the driver, Sergio “Checo” Perez, understands this necessity.
Horner mentioned that Perez is fully aware of his role and target within the team. He highlighted that no one is more eager than Checo to regain his form and contribute to the team’s success.