Red Bull Racing stands by Sergio Pérez amid car difficulties

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Helmut Marko, the seasoned advisor at Red Bull Racing, has affirmed the team's support for Sergio Pérez, attributing the driver's recent struggles to the car's challenging dynamics. Marko is optimistic that a resurgence in Pérez's performance is imminent.

Speculation surrounding Pérez's future had reached a fever pitch entering the F1's August summer break, with rumors suggesting he might be replaced by either Daniel Ricciardo or Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson. However, following discussions post-Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull announced Pérez would continue as Max Verstappen's teammate.

Marko indicated that starting from the Dutch Grand Prix, the team would explore adjustments to render the car more manageable for Pérez.

"We believe that we can turn it round and make it more stable for him," Marko told. "To be teammate to Max is not the nicest thing in Formula One. Checo has his merits, he's won races."

He continued, elaborating on the team’s internal discussions:

"Our discussion was not just about drivers, it was regular discussions we had of what can we do to improve the situation? We have to try to make the car more easy to drive."

Marko acknowledged the disparity in driving styles between Verstappen and Pérez:

"The more difficult the car is to drive, the more the difference to Max comes out because he's such an outstanding talent. If the rear steps out he won't lift the throttle, he's just, 'yeah, it's a little bit nervous,' Checo says 'it's difficult' or 'its undriveable.'"

In light of Pérez's fluctuating performances, Marko highlighted the team's strategy:

"So to be next to Max is a different story. So we said let's try to make the car more easy to drive, get more balance, which is also something Max wants, and the best thing is to keep going with Checo and hope that he... the main problem was this up and down. He had some very good results, very good performances, then the next day he was half a second off Max or so."

According to reports, Red Bull might revert Pérez to the early-season car specification, a period during which he consistently finished second behind Verstappen in four of the initial five races. His performance, however, has since wavered.

Regarding the decision to retain Pérez, Marko clarified:

"It was a clear statement from the shareholders that Racing Bulls is a junior team and this route will be how the future will look."

Pérez's future settled further when he signed a contract extension through 2025 with Red Bull, paving the way for a notable contest between Ricciardo and Lawson for a potential seat.

Marko offered insight into Ricciardo's evaluation:

"Daniel was put in the car and if he would have been significantly faster than Yuki there was an idea to bring him back to Red Bull Racing. But he also had this up and down. So, so far, he didn't fulfil the criteria to be a Red Bull Racing driver.

Lawson, despite impressing Red Bull with three stand-in performances after Ricciardo's injury at the Dutch Grand Prix, has remained on the sidelines for 2024. Sources indicate that Lawson will need clarity on his future by late September or he is free to explore opportunities beyond the Red Bull ecosystem.

Marko hinted at an impending decision for Lawson:

"It's a tough time for someone like Liam, especially as he jumped into the car under very, very difficult circumstances and did very well. We rate him high and he will get his chance. Just wait. September, you will have an answer."

As the season unfolds, Red Bull's maneuvers and the anticipated recalibrations to the car spec hold significant implications for Pérez and the broader team dynamics.

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