Sergio Perez needs “to change team” for Helmut Marko
Helmut Marko has spoken out about the complicated situation that Sergio Perez is going through. The Austrian assures that the Mexican driver would need a change of climate and team, which raises questions as he still has a year left on his contract with Red Bull.
Red Bull has been blowing hot and cold in recent weeks regarding the Sergio Perez case. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, the two media figures of the Austrian team, spend their time supporting the 33-year-old driver, who has been crushed by Verstappen this season. However, in almost every declaration from the two men, there is a barely hidden message that casts doubt on Perez’s future next season.
The former Racing Point player’s contract expires in 2024, and after two strong initial seasons as number 2, 2023 has been a slow descent into hell. Still second in the championship thanks to his excellent start to the season, Perez comes out of three weekends (Singapore, Japan, Qatar), where he almost did everything backwards.
His situation is starting to seriously raise questions, as Lewis Hamilton is only 30 points behind him in the championship and not finishing as vice-champion behind the wheel of the RB19 would be considered a professional fault. His place alongside Verstappen for 2024 is currently guaranteed, but Red Bull could lose patience and oust him in one fell swoop just like Albon and Gasly before him.
Gerhard Berger advises him to leave
Before reaching this point, Gerhard Berger, the former Ferrari and McLaren driver, recommends Perez to look elsewhere, and to find a project where he can flourish:
« Perez must leave Red Bull! »asserts the Austrian on ServusTV. « It’s like the old times with me and Ayrton Senna: I had no other choice. Perez needs a team in which he can grow again. You need a teammate that you can beat to build strength. Perez won’t be able to do this alongside Max Verstappen. He will only weaken because mistakes will increase. »
Sergio Perez’s options for 2024 however seem very limited outside of Red Bull, as all teams have confirmed their line-ups with the exception of Williams, where Sargeant is still on the hot seat. The five-time Grand Prix winner should therefore see out his contract, even if Helmut Marko does not rule out that a departure could be beneficial for him.
« We must not forget that I brought Perez into the team at the time », the Austrian reminds Oe24. « But this is simply the fate Verstappen is currently undergoing. It was already the case with Gasly (2020, ed). Seen from this angle, Berger’s statement is the right one: « Perez needs a change of climate and team. Let’s now see how the next two races will unfold. But both the team and him are aware they are in crisis. »
Sergio Perez now has only five races left before the end of the season to regain a convincing performance level. The Mexico Grand Prix, in three weeks, will be a good opportunity to regain confidence, in front of an audience entirely dedicated to his cause.
