An 8-place finish and a first-lap DNF aren’t typically the results associated with earning a new contract in Formula 1.
Sergio Perez knew heading into the 2024 season that he was in possession of the most enticing seat in Formula 1 and his deal was expiring at the end of the campaign.
It looks like Red Bull are happy enough with the Mexican to continue their partnership into 2025, however, a report from ESPN has shared one scenario that could see the 34-year-old miss out.
Red Bull are still leading the way in the Constructors’ Championship and Perez’s teammate Max Verstappen has a 31-point lead over Charles Leclerc in the driver’s standings.
However, the likes of Ferrari and McLaren are closing the gap and putting Christian Horner’s team under pressure for the first time in years.
That means Sergio Perez is suddenly under more pressure to perform and despite starting the campaign well, his recent performances have been called into question.
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Sergio Perez in pole position to sign new Red Bull contract
The Monaco Grand Prix is a unique event on the Formula 1 calendar given how extremely difficult it is to overtake on the narrow streets of the principality.
There were only a handful of overtaking moves pulled off throughout the race and Martin Brundle was particularly impressed with one that took place further down the order.
Lining up on the grid, Sergio Perez knew he had a monumental task on his hands after another disappointing Saturday.
Horner told Perez at the end of 2023 that he needed to improve his performance in qualifying.
He appeared to have taken strides forward in that respect at the start of the year, but after missing out on Q3 in Imola, he qualified 18 in Monaco.
Perez never got the chance to make his way through the grid in Monaco after having a huge accident with Kevin Magnussen heading up Beau Rivage.
READ MORE: Martin Brundle gives his verdict on huge Sergio Perez crash at the Monaco Grand Prix
It appears as though Perez only scoring four points in the last two races has had little impact on Red Bull’s attitude towards offering him a new deal.
He’s widely expected to be Max Verstappen’s teammate next year, according to The Race and other outlets, with Carlos Sainz told that he’s no longer being considered for the role.
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How can Sergio Perez lose his Red Bull seat?
The report from ESPN suggests that Perez is still Red Bull’s first choice to partner Max Verstappen next year despite his recent displays.
However, they’ve been told by ‘multiple sources’ that only a ‘drastic drop’ in his form over the next few races could change that situation.
This suggests that even though discussions between Red Bull and Perez appear to have taken a step forward, announcing his new deal doesn’t seem to be on the horizon.
Red Bull are in a position of power right now knowing that if Perez’s form does fall away, they know that plenty of other drivers would drop everything to join the team.
They’ll hope that they can return to the front of the grid in Canada, but Verstappen has suggested that how the car handles curb riding is still an issue and that could make keeping up with the Ferraris and McLarens in Montreal difficult.
If the Dutchman expects to struggle then Perez has to make sure he closes the gap to his teammate to avoid the pressure on him continuing to build.
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