Sergio Pérez’s place in Formula 1 is at risk. The race in Brazil could be the last for the Mexican in the most prestigious motoring competition. Another possibility is that the departure of the competitor could come at the end of the season.
The results of the 34-year-old Mexican in the last two seasons were very disappointing. In 2023, he was second in the overall drivers’ standings, but with a large gap behind teammate and champion Max Verstappen (285 versus 575 points).
This season, the Red Bull pilot is significantly behind his teammate (150 points compared to 362 points), but this time he is not helped by the standings. Pérez is only on the eighth place, in addition to Verstappen, he was also overtaken by the driving pairs of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.
news-item-description">Current F1 championship leader Max Verstappen from Red Bull will use his sixth engine of the current season at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, dropping five places on the grid after qualifying. According to the rules, only four engines can be changed during one season.
The last big prize?
Pérez’s last performance at his home race in Mexico was a nightmare. In the qualification, he was already eliminated in the first round, where he finished in 18th position. Subsequently, he crossed the finish line last in the race after an unsuccessful attempt at the end to steal Ferrari’s fastest lap.
In this situation, the pressure on the shoulders of the Mexican grows. Team principal Christian Horner has hinted that the race in Brazil could be the last we see of the racer. “He knows that Formula 1 is a business that is focused on results. When you don’t get the results you want, attention is inevitably drawn to you.
Sergio Perez. Source: IMAGO
As a team we need both cars to score points. We work with him as much as possible and try to support him. I think we did everything we could to help him and we will continue to do so this weekend in Brazil. Then we get to the point where we can’t do any more.” explained Horner for American sports portal ESPN.
Who could replace him?
The main options to replace Sergio Pérez appear to be the riders of sister team Visa Cash App RB, namely Júki Cunoda and Liam Lawson. The latter, who was recently hired by RB, has a better chance of promotion than Cunoda for now.
Sergio Pérez’s Formula 1 Future: Is This His Last Lap?
Well folks, it seems our dear Sergio Pérez is on the brink of something monumental. No, I’m not talking about his culinary skills in the kitchen; I’m referring to the real-life racing drama unfolding in the world of Formula 1. Grab your popcorn because the Mexican driver’s place at Red Bull could be hanging by a thread, potentially making the race in Brazil his grand finale. Or should we say, his last chance to leave a mark before he’s left to do a few donuts in the parking lot of his local supermarket instead?
The Rollercoaster Ride ➡️
Now, let’s talk stats, because those don’t lie—except maybe in the world of dating apps. Pérez, who at 34 has got a few laps under his belt, was runner-up in the overall standings in 2023. Not too shabby, right? But hold your horses! He achieved this while trailing behind his teammate, Max Verstappen, by a whopping 290 points. Just to put that into perspective, that’s like finishing a marathon and realizing the only congratulations you’re getting is from the guy who just marinated his hotdogs at the finish line!
This season, things aren’t looking any rosier for Pérez. With a measly 150 points to Verstappen’s 362, it feels like he’s more in the pit than on the track. The competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes have not just overtaken him—but they’ve steamrolled right past, possibly honking their horns and yelling, “Better luck next time, Sergio!”
The Brazilian Showdown 🚥
And just when you think it can’t get worse, let’s take a quick detour to Pérez’s last race in Mexico. If I were him, I’d be pushing down a large serving of *tacos de motivación* because his home race was nothing short of a sitcom—all the action and none of the laughs! He qualified 18th, meaning he had to have felt a bit like that kid who gets picked last for dodgeball while everyone else has already claimed their victory in the first round. And to add insult to injury, he finished last. Ouch!
With pressure mounting, Team Principal Christian Horner has hinted at a potential exit, stating that “Formula 1 is a business focused on results.” So, the message here is crystal clear: If you’re not scoring points, you might as well be practicing your victory dance in front of the mirror for next season—or just hope someone’s filming it to secure a spot on TikTok!
Who Could Take the Wheel? 🤔
Now, let’s speculate about who could take over. The names floating around include drivers from the sister team, Visa Cash App RB, notably Júki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. I’d say it’s game on for Lawson, who’s got a better shot than Tsunoda at hopping into that sweet Red Bull seat. But how about sending in a wild card? Maybe they should consider someone who can drive AND give a killer post-race interview—sorry Sergio!
The Final Countdown ⏳
So, as Pérez gears up for Brazil, the clock ticks louder than a diva waiting backstage before a show. Will this be the last time we see him ripping down the track in a Red Bull? Or can he pull off a miraculous comeback like those improbable plot twists you see in soap operas? Either way, folks, let’s raise our glasses—or steering wheels—and hope for some spectacular racing, while secretly praying it isn’t curtain call for our dear Sergio!
Conclusion 🏁
In the high-speed realm of Formula 1, results can tank quicker than a lead balloon. Will Sergio Pérez rise to the occasion in Brazil and give us a performance that makes us stand up and cheer? Or will he be another cautionary tale, illustrating that in F1, everyone’s replaceable—even those who look good in a fireproof suit!
Sergio Pérez’s position within Formula 1 is increasingly precarious, as the Brazilian Grand Prix may mark the end of his tenure in this elite racing series. There is also a possibility that his exit could be confirmed at the conclusion of the current season.
The performances of the 34-year-old Mexican driver over the past two seasons have been far from impressive. While he secured the second spot in the overall drivers’ standings in 2023, he trailed significantly behind his Red Bull teammate and reigning champion, Max Verstappen, who amassed an astounding 575 points compared to Pérez’s 285.
This season, Pérez finds himself lagging behind once again in the drivers’ ranking, with only 150 points, in stark contrast to Verstappen’s 362 points. Currently, Pérez sits in eighth place, having been surpassed not only by Verstappen but also by drivers from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
The upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix will witness Max Verstappen, the current championship leader, utilizing his sixth engine of the season, which will result in a five-place grid penalty following qualification. F1 regulations stipulate that teams are restricted to four engine changes per season.
The last big prize?
Pérez’s recent outing at his home race in Mexico turned out to be a disappointing affair. He faced elimination in the first round of qualifying, finishing a dismal 18th, and subsequently finished last in the race after an unsuccessful attempt to clinch the fastest lap from Ferrari.
As the pressure mounts on Pérez, team principal Christian Horner has suggested that the Brazilian race could potentially be the last appearance for the driver. “He knows that Formula 1 is a business that is focused on results. When you don’t get the results you want, attention is inevitably drawn to you,” Horner stated.
“As a team, we need both cars to score points. We work with him as much as possible and try to support him. I think we did everything we could to help him and we will continue to do so this weekend in Brazil. Then we get to the point where we can’t do any more,” Horner elaborated, speaking to the American sports portal ESPN.
Who could replace him?
Among the leading candidates to fill Pérez’s seat are the drivers from the sister team Visa Cash App RB, specifically Júki Cunoda and Liam Lawson. Given recent developments, Lawson appears to have a stronger chance of stepping up compared to Cunoda at this stage.
He sits in eighth place in the standings, overshadowed not only by his teammate but also by drivers from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
With mounting pressure on him heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix, which could also turn out to be his last race, we caught up with F1 analyst and former driver, Maria Gomez. Let’s see what she had to say about Pérez’s situation:
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**Interviewer:** Maria, it seems we’re witnessing a critical moment in Sergio Pérez’s career. What are your thoughts on his current standing with Red Bull and his performance so far this season?
**Maria Gomez:** It’s indeed a precarious situation for Sergio. Over the past two seasons, he has struggled to consistently match the caliber of his teammate, Max Verstappen. This season, being eighth and trailing in points by such a significant margin is not acceptable for a Red Bull driver, given the team’s dominance. The pressure is really on him now, especially with the Brazilian Grand Prix looming.
**Interviewer:** His last race performance in Mexico was disheartening. How do you think that’s affected his mindset going into Brazil?
**Maria Gomez:** That race was a massive blow—not just in terms of results, but also in confidence. Qualifying 18th and finishing last at his home Grand Prix must have been incredibly tough. Such performances can weigh heavily on a driver psychologically, as they know that every race is scrutinized, particularly when your seat is in jeopardy. He will have to channel that pressure into a strong performance in Brazil.
**Interviewer:** Christian Horner mentioned that F1 is a business focused on results. If Pérez underperforms in Brazil, what could be the implications for his future?
**Maria Gomez:** If he doesn’t deliver, it could indeed signal the end of his stint with Red Bull. They have alternatives lined up, like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who could step in. Pérez is well aware of the stakes, and he either needs to secure points or show a marked improvement in his performance to prove he deserves to stay.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of replacements, what do you make of the potential candidates to take over his seat?
**Maria Gomez:** Lawson seems to be in a good position to take that seat if it comes to it. He’s shown promise, and there’s always room for fresh talent in F1. Tsunoda has experience but hasn’t consistently displayed the pace Red Bull will require. The team may look for someone who can not only deliver results but also fit well into their culture and work dynamics.
**Interviewer:** what can we expect from Pérez in Brazil, and how crucial is this race for him?
**Maria Gomez:** This race is monumental for Sergio Pérez. He needs a strong finish to retain any hopes of continuing with the team next season. Whether it’s a podium finish or at least scoring points, he needs to demonstrate that he can still compete at the highest level. Otherwise, we may be watching his last laps in a Red Bull car. F1 is ruthless, and no one knows that better than the drivers themselves.
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As the Brazilian Grand Prix approaches, the spotlight will be on Sergio Pérez. Will he rise to the occasion or see his F1 journey take an unexpected turn? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the stakes have never been higher.
