We’re all trying to find the guy who did this. Despite Red Bull’s ace driver Max Verstappen already clinching the championship with ease the team will leave the 2024 season no better than third in the constructors’ championship behind Ferrari and McLaren. Speaking to the press ahead of this weekend’s season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez displayed incredulity that his team didn’t try harder to win the constructors’ championship. “I’m obviously part of a big organization, a big team and it’s very unfortunate that we did not fight any harder for the constructors.”
While Red Bull has a clear number one driver with Max taking nine Grands Prix victories this season, the drivers in red and papaya have split their victories and points pretty evenly. Sergio Perez, meanwhile, has suffered three DNFs and finished outside the points paying positions four times. He hasn’t finished above sixth since the Miami Grand Prix in May. Perez has fewer points from the last four races than his teammate has victories.
In spite of all this, Perez still believes his contract with Red Bull is solid for the 2025 season. There are several Red Bull junior drivers vying for his seat at the table, including RB F1 Team drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, as well as Williams driver Franco Colapinto. Lawson let drop today that he will “have more information” about his future next week, meaning a Red Bull decision must be imminent.
Perez is right, Red Bull is a big organization and he’s not the only one to blame. The team has definitely been building cars that don’t perform up to the standards of a World Championship team this year. It’s quite obvious that the car is built to Max Verstappen’s driving style, and he has really found a way to get the most out of it. But even that somewhat faulty equipment is capable of race victories in the right hands. It’s time for Sergio Perez to face the facts that he doesn’t have the right hands anymore. From ESPN:
“Nothing has changed since before in terms of what I’ve said for the entire year. I’ve got a contract for next year and I will be driving for Red Bull next year,” he said.
When asked by ESPN if he was 100% sure despite the reports this week, Pérez said: “I already said, mate. Nothing further to add. I have a contract for next year.”
It’s probably not fun to recognize that you’re washing out of the sport at 34 years old, but after 281 Grand Prix starts it’s for the best if Perez stands down and graciously accepts his fate. This isn’t a good look for him, and he’s not going to win anyway.
You gave it your all, Sergio. You had real flashes of brilliance and delivered when you needed to for thirteen years. Your podiums with Sauber and your race victory with Racing Point will be part of your highlight reel for decades to come. You served as a valiant and respectable number two driver at Red Bull, helping that asshole Max Verstappen win his championships. It’s time to admit that you’re done here. You’ve found the guy who did this, and he needs his bare bottom spanked.
