Why Red Bull really can't hold on to Sergio Perez anymore

In 2021, signing Sergio Perez was a wise choice by Red Bull Racing. Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon had clearly been thrown in at the deep end too early, and an experienced driver was needed alongside Verstappen in the battle for the world title. Perez proved to be that experienced, steady force in 2021, although it was soon clear that the difference between Verstappen and Perez was huge.

In the first year, Verstappen beat his new teammate 21-1 in qualifying, with an average difference of 0.433s per qualifying session. It was too big a gap for a top team, but Perez had the extenuating circumstances of being new to the team and having yet to fully learn the car.

In 2022, however, it proved no accident. In a year with entirely new regulations, Verstappen took a while to understand his car but never looked back. Perez came slightly closer in year two, but 0.309s was a gap not seen at any other top team. Perez only qualified ahead of his teammate four times.

Perez's disappointing performance

Where Red Bull could have intervened, they expressed hope that Perez would take a step forward. They also pointed to the 2022 constructors' world title, which was won with the help of Perez.

In 2023, Perez was helped by an ultra-dominant RB19. Perez won two Grands Prix but again lost the qualifying duel 20-1. The average difference increased again to 0.409s, and Verstappen single-handedly scored enough points for Red Bull Racing's world title. Perez finished second in the Drivers' Championship, but it would have been more incredible if he had not.

In 2022 and 2023, Red Bull got away with Perez as the second driver because the car was simply too dominant. But in 2024, they have been punched on the nose. In theory, anything is still possible, but Red Bull will likely finish third among constructors this year in 'normal circumstances'. Not because the car is too slow, as Max Verstappen seems to be on his way to winning the World Championship. However, the second driver is simply slow.

Perez's eighth-place finish in the drivers' standings seems like a huge setback. Has he performed that much less than in recent years? No. Perez did lose a little more ground against Verstappen in 2024, but with 0.466s as the average difference and a 20-1 score in the qualifying duel, the picture is not completely new.

The only thing that has changed is how close the competition is. Where Red Bull dominated in '22 and '23, it no longer did so in 2024. A better second driver is needed to become the Constructors' Champions. Perez has shown in four years that he is not, and at 34, Perez is also no longer at an age where he will grow enormously. So, it is time for a change.

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton