Perez to remain at Red Bull: A striking decision or not?
General
- Ludo van Denderen
A teaser on Red Bull Racing's social media briefly suggested that the Austrians were about to confirm Sergio Perez for 2025. The announcement applies to something else, but the chances of the Mexican still being confirmed for next season in the near future are very high. If Perez does indeed stay on as Max Verstappen's teammate, it raises eyebrows here and there. Justified or not?
Perez has had some - to put it mildly - unfortunate race weekends. Certainly the last Grand Prix in Monaco was one to quickly forget; with a qualifying session in which the veteran got stuck in Q1 and in the race quickly crashed out after an accident involving Kevin Magnussen. History seems to be repeating itself in recent weeks: Miami was also the turning point in the season in '23, followed by some particularly difficult months.
Whereas McLaren and Ferrari have two strong (equal?) drivers, the difference between Verstappen and Perez is life-changing in terms of the championship. Verstappen can perform at top level week in, week out, while the fluctuation in Perez's performance is higher. Especially in a year when the top teams are hugely matched, that could make the difference in whether or not he wins the constructors' title.
Why Red Bull are sticking with Perez
So why Red Bull look set to keep Perez on board is partly because team principal Christian Horner is hugely in favour of him. Moreover - at least that is what Ralf Schumacher stated last week - Verstappen would also be fine with Perez being in the other Red Bull car. The Dutchman would like the fact that he does not have to worry about an internal duel and can fully focus on his own battle for the world drivers' title.
Moreover, the relationship between Verstappen and Perez is said to be fine at the moment. That has been different before, for example after the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022, when Perez crashed in qualifying (deliberately?) and Verstappen had no chance of getting pole. A day later, Perez won the race.
Red Bull see no alternatives for Perez
So although Perez has now dropped to fifth in the Verstappen-led championship, Red Bull remain confident in the Mexican. Partly also because there are no candidates within the Red Bull organisation ready to succeed Perez. Daniel Ricciardo has been struggling with his form for years, Honda protégée Yuki Tsunoda never seems to be taken seriously and Liam Lawson needs to gain experience with smaller teams first. That soon leaves Perez the one remaining on the list.
One small defeat Perez does seem to set to suffer. He was hoping for a two-year commitment at the Austrian racing stable, but Red Bull does not want that. For '26, the team want to keep all options open, perhaps Daniel Ricciardo or Liam Lawson will have been found good enough to make the switch.