Sergio Pérez's struggles could propel McLaren's title hopes: Zak Brown

Sergio Pérez's ongoing poor form might create a golden opportunity for the resurgent McLaren team to challenge the reigning champions Red Bull for the Formula One constructors' title, according to McLaren team boss Zak Brown. Speaking on Saturday, Brown highlighted the pivotal role Pérez's performance could play in reshaping the title race.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has been dominant this season, winning seven out of 11 races thus far. However, his Mexican teammate, Pérez, has been unable to secure a podium finish since his contract extension in June. Currently, Pérez sits fifth in the championship with 118 points, far behind Verstappen's commanding 237 points. Notably, Pérez hasn't placed higher than seventh in his last five races, despite starting the season on a stronger note with three second-place finishes out of the first four races.

In contrast, McLaren has emerged as a formidable opponent with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri becoming regular occupants of the podium. Nonetheless, McLaren is still trailing Red Bull by 87 points with 13 races remaining. Encouragingly, McLaren has outscored Red Bull in four of the last five races.

Over those five races, Pérez has managed only 15 points, while Norris has accumulated 73 and Piastri 71. Brown asserted the importance of Pérez's performance as a decisive factor in the title race.

"I think it's going to be dependent on Pérez, at the end of the day," Brown told reporters. "You've got to assume that Max is going to be first, second, or third at every race, probably more firsts than thirds. Sergio underperforming is what's opening the window for us. I think if we have the same points gain we've had in the last six races, we'd get the job done. So we're fully aware of it."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged Pérez's recent struggles, emphasizing the need for him to support Verstappen in the championship fight.

"His first five races [of the year] were very competitive. It's the last five," Horner told Sky Sports. "We need him up there supporting Max because there's two McLarens, two Ferraris, two Mercedes; we desperately need there to be two Red Bulls."

Brown emphasized that McLaren is ready to contend with Red Bull, albeit with their own ethical approach.

"They [Red Bull] seem to at times have a win-at-all-costs mentality. That's not how we go racing. But we think you can go toe-to-toe and take the fight to them our own way," he stated.

Brown has had an increasingly contentious relationship with Horner, taking issue with Horner's radio messages during the Austrian Grand Prix last Sunday after an incident involving Verstappen and Norris. The collision led to the stewards penalizing Verstappen with a 10-second penalty for causing it.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Pérez's performance and whether McLaren can capitalize on any further slip-ups to close the gap in the constructors' championship.

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