Sergio Perez’s Future at Red Bull Hinges on Post-Abu Dhabi Decision

Sergio Perez’s future with Red Bull Racing is on shaky ground, as revealed by advisor Helmut Marko, who stated that the final decision will rest with Red Bull’s shareholders after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Marko pointed to Perez’s underwhelming performance this season as a key reason why Red Bull has fallen short in the constructors’ championship battle.

Perez’s Struggles in 2024

Perez’s season has been a stark contrast to his teammate, Max Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship with dominant performances.

• Sergio Perez: Currently 8th in the standings, 152 points, no wins, and just four podiums.
• Max Verstappen: Leading with 403 points, eight wins, and 13 podium finishes.

Perez has scored only 21 points since Red Bull confirmed his continuation post-summer break, while Verstappen has outpaced him by over 200 points.

Marko cited this disparity, saying:

“Max is more than 200 points ahead of Sergio. For our employees, this is disappointing because bonuses depend on our Constructors’ Championship position, and we have no chance to win it.”

Constructors’ Championship Woes

Red Bull trails McLaren by 53 points in the Constructors’ standings with just two races remaining. Marko emphasized that Perez’s inability to challenge rivals like Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Ferrari drivers has been a major hindrance.

“If Sergio was anywhere near Hamilton, Russell, or even McLaren, we would be well ahead again,” Marko added.

Decision Pending Post-Abu Dhabi

Marko confirmed that a meeting after the Abu Dhabi GP will finalize Red Bull’s 2025 driver lineup. The decision will be presented to Red Bull shareholders, who will have the ultimate say.

“The result of this meeting will be presented to the shareholders, and they will decide what the driver situation for both teams will look like for next year,” said Marko.

Who Could Replace Perez?

Should Perez lose his seat, Liam Lawson is the frontrunner to step up as Verstappen’s teammate. Lawson impressed during his four-race stint with Red Bull’s junior team, VCARB, scoring points without major incidents.

• Fellow candidate Franco Colapinto has suffered from costly crashes, including two at the Brazilian GP and another during Las Vegas GP qualifying, cooling Red Bull’s interest.

If Lawson is promoted, Isack Hadjar is expected to join VCARB alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

Christian Horner Remains Tight-Lipped

Team Principal Christian Horner avoided committing to specifics about Red Bull’s future driver lineup but acknowledged the team’s current challenges:

“A single point from Checo… It was a good recovery, but starting out of position on a weak McLaren day was a missed opportunity.”

While Horner reiterated that Red Bull has drivers under contract and options in place, he hinted that any major announcements would only come after the season concludes.

The Stakes Are High

As Perez’s performance continues to draw criticism, the decision after Abu Dhabi will not only shape Red Bull’s 2025 lineup but also influence their fight to reclaim dominance in the Constructors’ Championship. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if Perez’s tenure with Red Bull comes to an end or if he’s given one more shot to prove his worth.