Uncertainty continues to surround Sergio Perez’s place at Red Bull.
While aiming to recover from his disappointing performance at Suzuka, Perez ran afoul of ‘track limits’ during the Qatar qualifying. Still, his speed was notably slower than Max Verstappen’s, landing him in an unfortunate P13 position.
“Other drivers also had their laps cancelled,” team boss Christian Horner commented. “But the bottom line is that Max once again did his job and Checo once again had a difficult day. It’s a tough time for him,” the Red Bull leader observed.
“There’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders now, but he’s an experienced driver. We’ll support him in the fight for second place in the world championship, but he must now provide an answer. Honestly, I don’t understand the difference between the times of Max and Checo,” Horner continued.
Even with Perez, 33, secured for 2024, incessant whispers about potential changes persist, as Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda seem keen on the premier team slot.
“I’ve always been on his side a little and sympathised with him,” former racer and Sky Italia analyst Davide Valsecchi remarked about Perez. “But after the Q2 elimination here it becomes really difficult for Perez,” he noted. “He risks being replaced next season and there are already rumours.”
Alex Albon, formerly paired with Verstappen, suggests that the gateway at Red Bull Racing is essentially “wide open” for McLaren’s Lando Norris.
“I think if he wants to, he can go to Red Bull,” the Williams driver conveyed to Sky Italia. “We’ll have to wait and see because I don’t think anyone likes being Max’s teammate. It’s super difficult – I’ve had experience with that myself.” However, there’s the matter of Norris’ commitment to McLaren until 2025.
Albon expanded, “If he is confident in himself, which he should be, then the doors at Red Bull are wide open for him. The relationship between Lando and McLaren is a very strong one though, so we’ll see.”
One silver lining to Perez’s lackluster qualifying is that it might pave the way for Verstappen to claim his third drivers’ title in Qatar with ease.
“Max is already world champion,” Dr Helmut Marko stated. “Because how is Perez supposed to win the race from 13th? That’s what he’d have to do if he wants to keep the world championship open.”
