Coulthard Warns Perez Needs To Show More: 'One Swallow Doesn't Make Summer'

Monday, 30 September 2024 at 18:00

Tired and sweaty Sergio Perez in his driver uniform, with a towel around his neck, walking through the paddock after finishing P10 at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Former F1 driver David Coulthard warned that Sergio Perez still needs to show more after one decent performance in Azerbaijan.

During the 17th round of the season in Baku, Sergio Perez could have scored a podium as he was fighting for P2 one lap before the end of the race.

However, his collision with Carlos Sainz and following DNF meant he scored zero points and extended his Grand Prix races without a top-five finish.

The Mexican driver has not finished in the top five since the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, which was 12 race weekends ago. During the most recent race in Singapore, the 34-year-old finished in P10 (after starting from P13).

It was almost impossible for drivers to perform overtakes in the narrow streets of Singapore, which partially justifies Perez's finishing position. However, his teammate Max Verstappen showed there was a lot of pace in the Red Bull car, finishing in P2.

Analyzing the performance of Sergio Perez after the race at Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, former F1 driver David Coulthard told Channel 4:

Franco Colapinto in his Williams leading Sergio Perez in a Red Bull, who struggled to overtake. Walls on both sides and grandstands in the background.

Sergio Perez stuck behind Franco Colapinto in Williams during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix

"He did brilliantly in Baku, but one swallow doesn't make a summer. One good result is not what you expect."

"He is clearly the No2 driver in that team. There was so much relief off the back of Baku. Here, it was back to reality."

Singapore should have suited the Mexican driver, as he tends to perform better at street circuits. Checo even won a race in Singapore two years ago, in 2022.

Consequently, this year's result was a bit disappointing, especially when he needed to convince Red Bull that he deserves his seat. Coulthard added:

"If he doesn't get solid points for the remainder of the year, then, like Daniel Ricciardo, it looks like he's on the way out of the door. It could be the same situation for Perez."

F1 journalist Joe Saward revealed that rumors in Singapore suggested Sergio Perez could announce his retirement during the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix. However, the 34-year-old F1 driver dismissed all the speculation with a hilarious post on X (formerly Twitter).