Sergio Perez must score points at the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix (Sunday, 3 p.m. live on ORF1, RTL, Sky), otherwise the Mexican might lose his cockpit at Red Bull Racing during the season.
A clause in his contract is said to be responsible for this. According to media reports, this clause will allow the racing team to immediately terminate the contract if Perez is more than 100 World Championship points behind his teammate Max Verstappen following the Belgian GP, which follows the one week following the one in Hungary.
The problem: There are currently 137 points and the 34-year-old’s form is not very promising. Perez has only taken 15 points from the last six races. By comparison: Verstappen won 119 in the same period.
more on the subject
Homosexuality in Formula 1: Ralf Schumacher and breaking the taboo
Perez doesn’t want to let that bother him. “I’ve been in this business for so long. It’s a rollercoaster and I hope that my form will return soon,” says the reigning vice world champion, who assumes that he will be sitting in the second Red Bull cockpit until the end of the season. Especially since he only received a new contract in June that runs until the end of 2026.
Perez is no longer undisputed within the racing team. Team boss Christian Horner described Perez’s recent performances as “unsustainable”.
“We also need two drivers at the front with a view to the constructors’ championship and we still hope that Sergio Perez will find his form once more,” said Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko at “Speedweek”.
The defending champion (373 points) leads the field ahead of Ferrari (301) and McLaren (295). Marko said the situation would be evaluated during the one-month summer break following the Belgian GP. Candidates for the successor include Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar.
