Red Bull To Evaluate Perez's Position During Summer Break As Marko Discusses 2 Big Candidates

Friday, 12 July 2024 at 14:00

Following the unsuccessful 2024 British Grand Prix, Helmut Marko admitted Red Bull would seriously re-evaluate Sergio Perez's seat during the summer break.

Following the 12th round of the 2024 season (the 50% mark), Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez stands sixth in the Drivers' Championship and is in danger of falling even lower—to eighth place.

At the start of the season, Red Bull bosses suggested they would like to see the Mexican driver in second place in the Drivers' Championship with one or two race wins this season.

However, Red Bull's rivals have improved perhaps more than expected, and the 34-year-old's performances have not been good enough lately.

The Austrian team is now at risk of losing their 2nd place in the Constructors Championship, and rumors about Perez's potential replacement are increasing. Addressing the situation in an interview with Grandprix247.com, Helmut Marko said:

"We have a situation where our second driver, unfortunately, isn't performing as he should. So we will have an evaluation in the summer break of what we are going to do."

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What is most confusing is that the team from Milton Keynes just extended Perez's contract for 2025 and potentially 2026 as well. This period hasn't started yet. So, would it be possible for Red Bull to replace Perez?

"All Formula 1 contracts have exit clauses, most of them related to performance or, let's say, for the top drivers. As I mentioned before, we will have an evaluation during the summer break, and then we will make a decision."

Red Bull currently has a very talented reserve driver who has already shown that he has what it takes in 2023- Liam Lawson. Asked whether he could be the one to potentially take over Checo's seat in Red Bull, Marko responded:

"First, we have to see. Lawson is testing at Silverstone on Thursday. And yeah, so two more races, and there will be more outings with Lawson. There's also Yuki Tusnoda, who is doing very well."