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Red Bull Racing is set to hold a pivotal meeting to discuss the future of Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez. Following the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that Monday’s discussions would critically evaluate Perez’s role. The timing is crucial as despite Perez signing a new contract earlier in the summer, his recent performance has not met team expectations, significantly trailing behind his teammate Max Verstappen.
Since the Chinese Grand Prix, Verstappen has amassed 129 points, including three wins, while Perez has only added 21 points to his season total. Peter Bayer, CEO of Red Bull sister team VCARB, confirmed the presence of a performance clause in Perez’s contract that might lead to his exit if he remains more than 100 points behind Verstappen— a margin that currently stands at 141 points.
The conversation around potential replacements for Perez has risen, with names like Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda from Red Bull’s junior team being considered as front-runners. Ricciardo, in particular, faces his own set of pressures as he might need to replace Perez to secure his position over Lawson.
In conversations with ServusTV, Marko spoke about the importance of having both Red Bull cars outperforming competitors like McLaren to secure the constructors’ championship. Marko commented, as quoted by Motorsport:
“Sergio knows that for the constructors’ championship we have to have both cars ahead of McLaren if possible, and that hasn’t been the case in the last few races.
Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
“No, the goal is to win both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, and we’ll discuss the best way to achieve that on Monday.”
Despite these critiques, Marko has acknowledged improvements in Perez’s performance, especially after he secured a front-row start in an eventful qualifying session.
“But it is also crucial that McLaren was not as strong in the wet as they will probably be in the dry [race]. That means our starting position has improved and it will be a very exciting race.
“But it’s great to see Sergio, who has really improved. He will start on the front row due to the relegation and now things are looking much better again.”
Updated 2024 Belgian Grand Prix Results
1st: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2nd: Oscar Piastri, McLaren, +7.612s
3rd: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +9.920s
4th: Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +14.650s
5th: Lando Norris, McLaren, +16.407s
6th: Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, +16.585s
7th: Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +26.185s
8th: Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, +34.789s
9th: Esteban Ocon, Alpine, +37.107s
10th: Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri, +39.746s
11th: Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +40.789s
12th: Alex Albon, Williams, +44.958s
13th: Pierre Gasly, Alpine, +49.756s
14th: Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +49.979s
15th: Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +50.956s
16th: Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, +52.356s
17th: Logan Sargeant, Williams, +55.173s
18th: Nico Hulkenberg, Haas, +76.091s
19th: Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo, (DNF)
20th: George Russell, Mercedes, (Disqualified)
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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