Franz Tost says Red Bull doesn’t need to replace Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez concluded the 2024 season with 2nd place in the drivers' championship. The Mexican is expected to continue in 2024, but his future beyond that remains unclear.
The season has been rather simple for Red Bull. The Austrian team swept everything this season: World Drivers’ Champion, Vice World Drivers’ Champion, and Constructors’ Champion. In the Grand Prix, the story almost mirrored this. Only the Singapore race slipped through the red bull’s claws.
Despite this domination, a few debates have shaken the Austrian house. Sergio Perez has encountered difficulties in qualifications and in race several times. While his teammate Max Verstappen was walking on water, the Mexican was a bit more floundering. At the end of the Mexico Grand Prix, his second place in the championship began to be threatened by Lewis Hamilton. However, the Mercedes has run out of steam over the last two GPs, in contrast to Sergio Perez’s single-seater.
Do not disrupt the organization
The question of finding a replacement for Sergio Perez, as early as 2024, has often been raised in the paddock. Against his teammate, Sergio Perez did not do more. The Mexican triumphed only in two races and his difficulties sometimes annoyed in the garage, notably Helmut Marko. The leader made several unpleasant statements towards the 2023 World Vice-Champion. However, at the end of the season, Checo regained his rhythm.
In a context where Red Bull has won everything, the former director of AlphaTauri, Franz Tost, believed that the team did not need to change the Mexican. « Red Bull Racing wants to win both championships », said the Austrian. « I think the combination they have is very good, because Max is clearly the team leader because he is faster than Perez. But Perez is fast enough to finish second in the championship and they have won the constructors’ championship. What more do they want? The team just needs to find peace. »
Max Verstappen simply better
Franz Tost, who knew Max Verstappen when he was starting out in Formula 1, believes that no matter who his teammate is, Max Verstappen will be on top. « No matter who is beside Max Verstappen, I think he is simply the fastest in Formula 1 », explained the former leader. « This incredible natural speed, it could sometimes be seen in Formula 3. That was the big advantage for Max. He has no issue with speed. Other drivers need ten laps, 20 laps, 100 laps, until they adjust to this speed, the brakes and everything. Max had the situation under control. »
At the dawn of the 2024 season, Sergio Perez is preparing to honour his final year of contract with Red Bull. The Mexican driver knows he’s on the hot seat. If the 33-year-old driver was not to be extended, Daniel Ricciardo, currently at AlphaTauri and a former member of the Austrian team, is the most serious candidate for a seat in 2025. The 2024 season is crucial for the future of the two drivers.
