Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko admits that Sergio Perez is amidst an F1 “crisis” – and discusses what steps could be taken in the near future.
Over the past few weeks, pressure has been increasing on Sergio Perez and his position within the F1 team. Despite AlphaTauri confirming its driver line-up for 2024, there are clear indications that the 33-year-old’s position within the team is still at risk.
The first warning signs came after the Japanese GP, with Helmut Marko raising concerns about the Mexican driver’s performance. These worries continued last weekend in Qatar, with team principal Christian Horner expressing his concern.
As previously covered on LWOS, Horner’s statements are particularly significant. The Red Bull boss has often been Perez’s most vehement defender in interviews with the media. Recent events, however, seem to have impacted his generally diplomatic tone on this issue.
The 6-time race winner suffered another difficult three days in Qatar. Only securing just one point across the Sprint and Grand Prix. While misfortune played a role, a lack of performance was the biggest determining factor. Another Q2 elimination set the tone for the weekend.
Moreover, the intense nature of Sprint weekends – which only have one Practice session – worsened Perez’s ability to build himself up. For a driver in desperate need of form, the conditions in Losail were far from ideal.
Marko admits that time is ticking
In a recent interview, Helmut Marko was candid about the situation at the Red Bull garage:
“You mustn’t forget, I brought him to the team back then. But this is simply Verstappen’s fate, he is suffering now,” he told Austrian outlet OE24.
“That was already the case with Gasly, after a weak performance at the Red Bull Ring, he was already lapped at the next race in Hungary.
“Seen this way, Berger’s statement [about Perez] is the right one: He needs a change in climate and team.
“Now let’s see how the next two races go. But the team and he are aware that he is in a crisis.”
Whilst the Red Bull advisor was blunt in his textbook fashion, he was somewhat accommodating to the Mexican driver. Previously in the interview, he expressed his hope that “Austin is a good fit, and then it will work again in Mexico.”
It is easy to forget that Helmut Marko was instrumental in the decision to sign Perez at the end of 2020. However, F1 is a sport in constant evolution. What matters is today and, more broadly, Checo’s performances across the 2023 season.
Securing P2 in the Championship
Evidently, these efforts have been below par. Lewis Hamilton is still within striking range of the 33-year-old, especially given more Sprint weekends are left on the calendar. Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin probably lacks the pace to overtake Perez for P2 in the standings – but he cannot be ruled out.
Red Bull has often referenced 2nd place in the Championship as a requirement for the #11. Considering that Perez is still in this position (despite a 200+ point gap to Verstappen), this target is more than attainable.
Helmut Marko explains that Red Bull is trying to support Perez and overturn his form: “Checo just has to get the best out of it without looking at Verstappen. We’re trying to help him with that.”
Despite these words of support, patience is clearly running out Austrian team. Liam Lawson is waiting for his chance and McLaren’s resurgence has emphasised the importance of having drivers performing at a high level.
Unless Perez can produce some results in the next two rounds his days at the team could be numbered.
