Red Bull have confirmed what most F1 circles have known for weeks – Sergio Perez will continue racing for the Milton Keynes squad. This announcement has been a formality for some time, especially after Christian Horner’s comments on this topic Monaco. Nonetheless, this contract extension is controversial, not least because it keeps Perez in the team until 2026.
Last season, Red Bull secured both Championships in dominant fashion. This was thanks to the RB20, which was in a league of its own throughout the season. Critically, though, Max Verstappen was significantly faster than his teammate.
Perez finished 290 points behind the Dutchman, an obviously massive margin. Heading into this year’s campaign, there were already lingering questions about his future with the team.
In fairness to the 6-time race winner, he enjoyed a reasonable start to the 2024 season with a series of podium finishes. However, these results were achieved in relatively easy conditions. Ferrari and McLaren were yet to introduce the upgrades which, as seen post-Miami, have changed the playing field.
Since the Maranello and Woking-based teams have joined the party at the front, Perez has failed to deliver. Red Bull’s advantage in the Championship has been reduced to 20 points. It stands to reason this cushion could completely evaporate.
HORNER BACKS SERGIO PEREZ TO PERFORM AT HIS BEST
For Christian Horner, this analysis apparently does not ring true. The British team principal believes the 34-year-old can perform at a high level:
“Checo has had a strong start to 2024 with second places in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan and then his podium in China.
“The past few races have been tough, there is convergence on the grid, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see.”
Speaking frankly, it is difficult to envisage a scenario where this decision is not costly for Red Bull. Even in Perez’s ‘better’ seasons for the team – such as 2022 – he was still very far away from Verstappen. The deficit so far in 2024 is already 62 points, and that’s despite Verstappen retiring in Australia.
Considering the extremely strong lineups at Ferrari and McLaren, this is already a big problem. On weekends where the top three teams are evenly matched, Red Bull are at risk of losing out on crucial points.
At the RB20’s weaker circuits, like Monaco – or potentially Canada – the constructors’ standings could swing dramatically against the Austrian team’s favour.
It cannot be said Red Bull are winning the development war in 2024, either. Overall, there is understandable scepticism about the lineup confirmed by the reigning Champions.
