Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has issued a serious alert to Sergio Perez of Red Bull. He warns that unless Perez significantly raises his performance level, he could find himself in a precarious position similar to that of Daniel Ricciardo.
The choice to let Ricciardo go highlights the strict performance expectations at Red Bull. Once viewed as the main contender to replace Perez, Ricciardo managed to score just 12 points this season, which ultimately wasn’t enough to keep his seat. This opened the door for Lawson, temporarily easing worries about Perez’s future.
Perez’s season has been riddled with challenges. He nearly secured a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but lost it due to a collision with Carlos Sainz late in the race. His performance in Singapore was disappointing as he exited Q2 and finished in 10th place.
Coulthard’s insights underscore the high expectations placed on Perez. In a recent media interview, he stated:
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“While he had a great performance in Baku, one good result isn’t enough. He clearly ranks as the second driver on the team. The relief he felt after Baku was short-lived as reality sets back in. If he doesn’t start consistently earning points, he might find himself in the same troubling situation as Ricciardo.”
Commenting on the challenges within Red Bull, Horner pointed out:
“Digging into the data reveals signs of issues dating back to Barcelona last year. Max’s exceptional talent has hidden some problems, especially with corner entries, which Perez has struggled with compared to him. In Monza, both faced similar challenges, exposing the car’s key problems. Perez seems more affected, but with a better car for both, they could see improvements.”
There are also buzzes suggesting that Perez might announce his retirement from Formula 1 at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, though neither he nor the team has confirmed anything yet.