Signs pointing to Red Bull exit: Pérez must decide

There are many indications that the sporting career of Sergio Perez in Formula 1 will end in a few days, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Last Sunday evening, in Qatar, senior officials of the Red Bull, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko hinted for the first time that the decision was madeat least as far as they themselves are concerned.

“We will fully support him until the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi. What he decides next will ultimately be up to him.“Horner said in an interview with Sky Sports F1. “He is old and wise enough to draw his own conclusions. But there is still one race left. Now we will leave behind us Abu Dhabiand then we'll see where we are.”

It seems like the British almost want Pérez to end up resigning by his own decision. And it was striking that he spoke in the past tense when he said: “Checo was an excellent driver for us. This helped us win the World Manufacturers' Championship in 2022 and 2023, as well as the Drivers' title. Max Verstappen in 2021. And he's a great guy. But the situation he finds himself in is not pleasant and he knows the pressure there is in this job. »

Horner elegantly blocks questions on the subject. And the fact that it’s suddenly Pérez who has to make the decision is something new. What if the Mexican driver insisted at Yas Marina that he had a contract for 2025 and was determined to stay? “Now we will finish Abu Dhabi, and then we will see where we are,” Horner commented evasively.

Red Bull F1 increases pressure: Sergio Pérez should resign

This raises questions, and it looks a bit like Red Bull has already suggested to Pérez that he should be the one to end the relationship.. Sunday, before the race LosailHorner, Marko and the 34-year-old veteran driver were pictured in a three-way conversation, in which it could have become clear that Red Bull did not want to continue with him.

The questions are now obvious: How much might Pérez want to be paid to sign a severance agreement and leave his post by 2025? Red Bull would probably prefer that the Mexican accepts the financial offer which will be put on the table in the coming days. Then he would receive a dignified farewell in Abu Dhabi.

Colapinto does not enter into Helmut Marko's considerations

For now, it's all speculation. The fact is, however, that Helmut Marko doesn't even talk about Pérez anymore, but just answers questions about who should be in the second Red Bull next year. The name of Franco Colapintohe said, “isn’t at the top of the list.” And when asked if Yuki Tsunoda And Liam Lawson are more likely options, the Austrian replies: “I would say yes.”

“On Monday after Abu Dhabi, there will be a meeting with all important people, including all shareholders, and a decision will be made there.“Marko explained to Viaplay. “For the most part we have brought in our own drivers from the junior team, and it is a philosophical decision whether we will continue to do that. From what I hear from shareholders, it's heading in this direction“.

These statements don't confirm anything, but they suggest something: the decision on Pérez's successor will remain between Tsunoda and Lawson. And as rumor has it that Horner is not convinced that the Japanese are the right man to Red Bull, the New Zealander seems the most likely optionjust like things are today.

Ralf Schumacher 'would certainly choose a young man instead of Pérez'according to his opinion as a commentator Sky Sports F1 in Germany, and “not necessarily Tsunoda”, because “he's been around for so long that I don't think he'll become a superstar. Lawson can be one, and Colapinto has had great results. So the most likely is that [eligiera] to one of the two.”

Sergio Pérez loses support at Red Bull due to loss of bonuses

Regarding the rumors around Sergio Pérez, Helmut Marko also mentioned the loss of the World Manufacturers' Championship F1 2024 in Qatar, whose victory in recent years has resulted in the payment of considerable bonuses to the employees of the Milton Keynes team. “And if you no longer have the support of the people who work for you, then it becomes difficult”said the 81-year-old Austrian.

Horner recognized another problem, that the mechanics are not satisfied with being practically a one-man team: The nine victories were all for Max, while in the rest of the teams both drivers won. »

“One thing is certain: we are out of the fight for the World Manufacturers’ Championship. This is very frustrating, because this is the basis of Formula 1's money distribution. If you want to see the glass half full, you can also say that at least we will have more time in the wind tunnel .. This can help with the new regulations coming in 2026,” Horner analyzed.

Red Bull would perhaps prefer to continue working with Pérez, in the sense that Terminating your contract early can be expensive. According to some reports, Horner is not very happy with Tsunoda and Lawson only has ten Formula 1 Grand Prix experiences. Another year in Visa CashApp RB This would be the most logical option.

Qatar GP: Pérez, once again beyond good and evil

But with Verstappen leading Pérez in points scored by 429 to 152, Checo is, objectively, almost indefensible.. And Qatar did little to dispel doubts about its performance. During the sprint race on Saturday, the American was overtaken by Colapinto at the start of the pit lane. A scene which earned him a lot of malice on social networks.

Pérez explained that his intention was to start last so he could test the race settings in “clean air”.. An explanation supported by the “on board” images, in which we see the Mexican apparently deliberately distancing himself and even zigzagging as if he were preparing for a test session.

In this context, It's puzzling that team leaders aren't saying a word about the planned slow start. Horner, when asked explicitly by journalists about Pérez's statements, actually answered the opposite: “There was a reason we sent him there seven minutes before the start, to pass Colapinto.“.

What happened to Pérez after the safety car spin in Qatar?

And then came the unfortunate incident during Sunday's race, when Pérez spins while the safety car is still running. Horner simply commented: “The situation is as painful for him as it is for us“.

After the spin, the Mexican announced by radio that he had “no more traction”, something the team still couldn't understand during the night: “We are investigating the exact cause, but it appears the clutches were too hot and that is why they failed. It's another one of those things“.

Pérez could not give a plausible explanation for what appeared to be a rookie mistake. His tires were “frozen”, he justified, “and when I pressed the accelerator at the exit of turn 12, I suddenly had a spike in the accelerator. This caused me to lose the back and I couldn't control it anymore.” 2024 was “a difficult year”, as he himself admits: “It doesn't get any better. It would be nice to finish with a good race, because I think we learned a lot this weekend. There were always flashes of rhythm. We just have to put it all together“.

What Pérez continues to have, and is how he is recognized at Red Bull, is the ability to put himself at the service of the team. Like during the sprint, when he dressed as a guinea pig to test the settings. An important element for Verstappen to end up winning the penultimate event of the year. Could this perhaps be his last big action before the big farewell?

One thing is clear: If Pérez decides to leave this week, Red Bull will say goodbye to him like a great hero in Abu Dhabi and throw him a big party in front of a television audience of millions. However, if he defers to shareholders at their meeting on Monday, he will likely bid a quiet and ungrateful farewell to the company. Formula 1.