Why are the rumors about Perez’s departure from Red Bull taking off so well?
At the end of the Qatar Grand Prix, only 30 points now separate the second Red Bull driver from his direct opponent Lewis Hamilton, in the fight for second place in the championship. The loss of this F1 runner-up title behind Max Verstappen would be almost prohibitive in terms of his future. « Checo » whose contract runs until the end of the year 2024 is clearly in danger: a look back at his contrasting season and the rumors that are inflaming F1.
While “during a dinner” rumors circulated about Sergio Perez’s retirement announcement at the Mexican Grand Prix, more and more noise around the Mexican’s departure is heard in the paddock. While Red Bull plays and has always played on these rumors, concrete evidence supports these rumors, others play against them.
A promising spring…
At the start of the season, the Mexican clearly displayed his title ambitions, and for good reason as he made his best start since he’s been with the Austrian team.
Following two victories on urban circuits in Djeddah and Baku, he was questioned in a Miami press conference one week after his success: « In the end, I won in Baku at pure pace, regardless of whether it’s an urban or permanent circuit. If I can do it in Baku, I can do it anywhere. » With full confidence, he even reported to Sky Sports that « without the problems we had in qualifying in Melbourne, I should be leading the championship ».
At the dawn of the 6th GP of the season in Monaco on May 28th, 14 points separated the Mexican driver from Max Verstappen: a wild hope of a potential fight for the title was then born.
A complicated summer
In October, 5 months later, the situation has clearly evolved, Helmut Marko does not hide it on the microphone of the German television Sport1: « Sergio urgently needs to find the form he showed at the beginning of the season. » He even indicated that he had « need for a change of climate and team ».
Since his good start to the 2023 season, he has only managed to get on the podium 4 times in 11 races: insufficient for someone driving the RB19. Even worse, he recently had two disastrous weekends first in Japan and then in Qatar: scoring only 1 point.
As a symbol, it is even on a withdrawal that Perez offers the title to his teammate, in the sprint race last Saturday (following a racing incident for which he is certainly not responsible).
The contracts and Ricciardo’s signing with AlphaTauri
Even with a broken hand, Daniel Ricciardo, who was ousted from McLaren, was announced as the lead driver for AlphaTauri in 2024. He will be alongside Yuki Tsunoda, who is also extending his term. However, Liam Lawson, who stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo for several races, made a good impression and is pushing for a spot in F1 with big strides. If Sergio Perez does in fact have a contract ending with Red Bull in 2024, the Austrian team is accustomed to not waiting for winter to make changes. Constant pressure.
A duel for the second place
This status as vice-world champion seemed promised to him. But here comes Lewis Hamilton back fast in his rear-view mirrors. Although the Brit didn’t manage to close the gap last Sunday, the suspense is real. The Mercedes driver had a 65-point deficit on the evening of the Spa GP, 3 race weekends later he has now filled more than half of his gap with 30 points in arrears.
With 5 race weekends remaining before the end of the championship, all scenarios are possible. If Perez still has a chance to stay with Red Bull next year, this inevitably passes by finishing second in the driver’s championship… if his fate isn’t already sealed.
