Red Bull has decided to stick with Sergio Pérez despite the Mexican being tipped to head to the exit following inconsistent performances across the last couple of rounds that allow rivals to catch up in the constructors’ championship with only 42 points separating them with McLaren in second place.
Heading into the Belgian Grand Prix, RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, and reserve driver Liam Lawson were reported to be next in succession if Pérez was replaced, despite the 34-year-old having only recently signed a two-year contract extension.
Team advisor Helmut Marko put the rumours to bed as Pérez is here to stay after the summer break and sister team RB’s lineup will remain unchanged until the season ends. The Austrian explained the decision was based on stability and they would rely on Pérez’s strong circuits after the summer break to deliver.
“Sergio Pérez will continue to drive the Red Bull Racing car after the summer break, as there are now races on tracks where he was good last year and we are counting on stability.“
“He has also shown good performances from time to time, and at the last race weekend in Spa, he was very quick on Saturday, finishing third [in qualifying].
“Pérez doesn’t have to become faster, but more consistent, and, given the alternatives, he is still our best solution.”
Marko also debunked the rumours that F1 owner Liberty Media was involved in the driver’s retention to see him race before the home crowd in Mexico later this year.
“Reports that his continued involvement is due to Liberty Media’s wish for him to drive in Mexico are not true. They certainly want him to contest his home race, but our choice of driver is not based on Liberty’s intentions.“
Lawson is free to look for a seat elsewhere for next season if Red Bull cannot secure him an F1 seat by September. However, Marko ruled out the possibility of loaning the 22-year-old to other teams to make sure the Kiwi stays within the Red Bull family. F2 driver Isack Hadjar was also hinted to take a role within the team very soon.
“We will announce what will happen with Liam Lawson in September. The fact that he was allowed to gain further Formula 1 kilometres of experience in Imola had been planned for some time. Even if the competition would like to use him on loan, he is not available for that.”
“Our F2 driver Isack Hadjar took his fourth victory in the top formula racing class at Spa. He has the potential for F1. We’ll see how everything develops, but he will certainly take on a role of some kind. It could be that, like Lawson, he will spend a year as a test and simulator driver.“
