‘If it didn’t matter that he’s Mexican, Red Bull would have already raced him’ – Fox Sports

Seven consecutive races without a podium finish, driving what many consider the best car on the entire Formula 1 grid, have put Checo Pérez under immense pressure. The pressure intensifies every day as more critical voices emerge, both within Red Bull and in the wider Formula 1 community.

Beyond Christian Horner’s description of Checo’s performance as “unacceptable” due to his lack of consistent points in the 2024 season, a former F1 driver has taken aim at Sergio Pérez, accusing him of staying at Red Bull Racing because he “generates a lot of money” despite not possessing the necessary racing skills.

CRITICISM AGAINST CZECH | Eddie Jordan: “If I were Horner, I would tell Checo ‘you have two races to improve; if not, you’re out’”

This is how Checo Pérez is criticized for his poor results in F1

Among the many individuals who have criticized the Guadalajara-born driver is Martin Brundle. Brundle, who competed in 158 F1 Grand Prix between 1984 and 1996, launched harsh accusations once morest Checo Pérez in a Sky Sports podcast, questioning his ability to continue driving for the team.

“A good example of Max and Pérez’s moment is qualifying (at Silverstone). Both Red Bulls went off track at Copse when it rained a little, almost the same way. Sergio ended up on his back in the gravel and out of the classification” he said.

“Max somehow kept everything pointing in the right direction, tiptoed through the gravel, broke a bit of the underside of the car, went down the service road, lived for another day – and that’s the difference when things are going your way and you’re confident. You’re on top, you sort it out. When they’re not, you’re on top.” That’s where the clumsiness and lack of confidence come in and I completely identify that” he added.

‘Checo is at Red Bull because it generates a lot of money’

The criticism once morest Checo has reached a new level with the former driver. During the same podcast, he stated that Sergio Pérez remains at Red Bull because of the marketing surrounding him, claiming that any other driver with similar performance would have been dropped.

“We know that (Perez) is commercially attractive for them, he is a good rival for Max, he is usually fast enough to do a good job and provide relevant information. He is not fast enough to bother Max in particular, and it works for them and they have won both championships” Brundle said.

“You know, with the sponsorship, with the Red Bull Marketing and Marketing in North America And from the South, with the Mexican Grand Prix coming up, you really don’t want Sergio Perez on the grid? So that’s the balance point. If he was the ‘B driver’, and none of that commerciality or nationality or whatever mattered, they would have replaced him, wouldn’t they? Let’s be honest.”.

Checo Pérez Under Fire: Criticism Mounts for Red Bull Driver’s Poor Form

Seven consecutive races without a podium finish, driving what many consider the best car on the entire Formula 1 grid, have Checo Pérez facing a “pressure cooker”. Every day brings more critical voices, both within Red Bull and in the wider F1 community.

Beyond what Christian Horner has described as “unacceptable” that Checo does not score points regularly in this 2024 season, former F1 driver Eddie Jordan has now weighed in on Sergio Pérez’s struggles. Jordan claims that Pérez continues to occupy a seat at Red Bull Racing because “he generates a lot of money”, but lacks the necessary sporting level.

Criticism Against Checo: A Growing Chorus

Among the many figures who have attacked the Mexican driver is Martin Brundle, who competed in 158 F1 Grand Prix between 1984 and 1996. On a Sky Sports podcast, he launched harsh accusations once morest Checo Pérez, questioning whether he has the talent to remain with the team.

“A good example of Max and Perez’s moment is qualifying (at Silverstone). The two Red Bulls went off track at Copse when it rained a little, almost the same way. Sergio ended up on his back in the gravel and out of the classification”, said Brundle.

“Max somehow kept everything pointing in the right direction, tiptoed through the gravel, broke a bit of the underside of the car, went down the service road, lived for another day – and that’s the difference when things are going your way and you’re confident. You’re on top, you sort it out. When they’re not, you’re on top.” You have that clumsy and stupid topand I completely identify with that”, he added.

‘Checo is at Red Bull because it generates a lot of money’

The criticism once morest Checo has reached a new level with Brundle’s comments, who stated in the same podcast that Sergio Pérez remains at Red Bull because of his marketability and the sponsorship he brings to the team. He argues that Perez’s poor results would have led to his dismissal if not for these factors.

“We know that (Perez) is commercially attractive for themhe is a good rival for Max, he is usually fast enough to do a good job and provide relevant information. He is not fast enough to bother Max in particular, and it works for them and they have won both championships”, said Brundle.

“You know, with the sponsorship, with the Red Bull Marketing and Marketing in North America And from the South, with the Mexican Grand Prix coming up, you really don’t want Sergio Perez on the grid? So that’s the balance point. If he was the ‘B driver’, and none of that commerciality or nationality or whatever mattered, they would have replaced him, wouldn’t they? Let’s be honest.”.

The Pressure Mounts for Checo Pérez

Checo Pérez is facing intense pressure. His performance has fallen short of expectations, particularly in a season where Red Bull has built a dominant car. The criticism coming from former drivers like Eddie Jordan and Martin Brundle only adds to the pressure he is facing.

If Checo Pérez cannot turn his fortunes around quickly, the whispers regarding his future in F1 are likely to grow even louder. The question now is: can he rediscover his form, or will the criticism eventually lead to his departure from Red Bull?

Is Commercial Value Overriding Sporting Merit?

The debate sparked by Brundle’s comments raises a crucial question: how much should commercial value influence a driver’s position in Formula 1? It’s a complex issue that has no easy answers.

While sponsorships and marketability are important factors for teams, the core essence of Formula 1 remains its sporting competition. The question is whether Pérez’s presence in the team is ultimately a detriment to the overall performance and competitiveness of Red Bull Racing.

What’s Next for Checo Pérez?

The coming races will be crucial for Pérez. He needs to regain his consistency and show the speed that made him a valuable asset to Red Bull in previous seasons. Failing to do so might leave him with no other option than to seek a new team for the 2025 season.

The F1 world will be watching closely to see how Checo Pérez responds to the pressure he is facing. Can he silence his critics and reclaim his position as a top driver, or will this difficult period mark the beginning of the end of his Red Bull career?