Sergio Perez will uncover whether or not he has a future at Pink Bull following a shareholder assembly after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The beleaguered Mexican has hung onto a seat to this point this yr regardless of enduring a dismal season that has left him 251 factors adrift of team-mate and newly-crowned 2024 F1 drivers’ champion Max Verstappen.
Regardless of a string of lacklustre performances, along with his lack of factors additionally all however ending Pink Bull’s defence of the constructors’ title, Perez has publicly loved the backing of the workforce – albeit with clear calls that outcomes want to enhance.
He now seemingly has subsequent weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix and the ultimate race of the yr in Abu Dhabi to show he’s deserving of a 2025 drive, with a lot of choices open to Pink Bull and sister workforce RB.
“There will probably be a gathering after Abu Dhabi and the results of this assembly will probably be offered to the shareholders and they’ll then determine what the driving force scenario for each groups will seem like for subsequent yr,” workforce advisor Helmut Marko instructed ORF.
“I do not know the precise hole now, however I feel Checo has over 200 factors lower than Max. After which it is clear that the constructors’ title is now not potential…so if Sergio was wherever close to (Lewis) Hamilton and (George) Russell or Ferrari and even McLaren, then we’d be properly forward once more.”
Having certified a lowly sixteenth in Las Vegas – his sixth Q1 exit of the season – Perez blamed the efficiency of the automobile and, requested about subsequent yr having left the ultimate US race of the yr with some extent from ending tenth, he once more pointed the finger on the equipment.
Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
“I feel we actually want to resolve the problems we have had this yr,” he replied. “I feel the workforce is aware of precisely the place we’re at and Pink Bull is the perfect workforce, and I imagine that we are able to have a a lot better automobile for subsequent yr.”
Pink Bull is within the distinctive place of getting 4 contracted drivers on the grid at anybody time, a scenario that solely intensifies the stress on Perez.
RB pairing Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson will each fancy their possibilities of ousting Perez, with the previous testing the Pink Bull after Abu Dhabi and the latter arguably more likely to land the seat full-time.
There’s additionally the intriguing chance of the Pink Bull secure pulling off a transfer to land Franco Colapinto from Williams with the Argentinian having caught the attention since being promoted to a drive earlier within the yr.
Workforce boss Christian Horner stated: “Something concerning the drivers…We have now drivers beneath contract, and we now have drivers with choices that stay between the corporate and the drivers concerned. And there is nothing to say on that. But when there was one thing to say, I would inform you.
“I imply, clearly, a single level from Checo. It was an excellent drive from him, an excellent restoration. However the issue is, we’re beginning out of place on the day that McLaren have been weak. We might have appreciated to have taken extra factors out of them right now.”
