Helmut Marko has insisted Sergio Perez remains to be the most suitable choice to complete the System 1 season alongside Purple Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.
Perez’s hunch in efficiency within the second quarter of the marketing campaign has allowed McLaren to slender the hole to Purple Bull within the constructors’ standings to 42 factors by the summer time break.
That made Purple Bull rethink whether or not or not it ought to substitute the Mexican with certainly one of its different drivers – Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson – regardless of Perez having not too long ago signed a two-year contract extension.
However after contemplating their choices, Purple Bull workforce boss Christian Horner and workforce advisor Marko determined to maintain backing Perez, with RB’s line-up of Ricciardo and Tsunoda additionally remaining unchanged.
In his column on Purple Bull-owned publication Speedweek, Marko defined that Perez was “nonetheless our greatest resolution” given the alternate options that have been accessible, saying the 34-year-old simply has to search out extra consistency after exhibiting flashes of his previous self in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying.
“Sergio Perez can even be within the Purple Bull Racing automotive after the summer time break as a result of we now have races on the tracks the place he was good final 12 months and we’re banking on stability,” Marko was quoted.
“He has repeatedly proven good performances in between, and he was additionally very quick in third place on Saturday on the final race weekend in Spa.
Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“Perez does not should develop into sooner, however extra constant and, given the alternate options, he’s nonetheless our greatest resolution.”
Marko refuted hypothesis that F1 proprietor Liberty Media had a hand in its driver alternative.
“Reviews that his continued involvement is because of Liberty Media’s want for him to drive in Mexico are usually not true,” he stated. “They actually need him to contest his residence race, however our alternative of driver is just not based mostly on Liberty’s intentions.”
Purple Bull can even should determine on what to do with reserve driver Liam Lawson, who’s free to discover a seat elsewhere if Purple Bull cannot give him an F1 drive in 2025.
However Marko dominated out Lawson could be loaned out to rival groups to maintain him inside the ranks.
“We’ll announce what is going to occur with Liam Lawson in September,” the Austrian defined. “The truth that he was allowed to realize additional System 1 kilometres of expertise in Imola had been deliberate for a while. Even when the competitors wish to use him on mortgage, he’s not accessible for that.
“Our System 2 driver Isack Hadjar took his fourth victory within the high method racing class at Spa. He clearly has the potential for System 1.
“We’ll see how every part develops, however he will definitely tackle a task of some sort. It could possibly be that, like Lawson, he’ll spend a 12 months as a check and simulator driver.”
