Crimson Bull have hinted Sergio Perez is about to lose his seat after this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Perez has been below stress for many of this season after scoring simply 152 of Crimson Bull’s 581 factors and barely getting close to team-mate Max Verstappen.
The final weekend in Qatar noticed him eradicated within the first a part of Dash Qualifying and he spun in the primary race on a Security Automobile restart, overheating his clutch within the course of which prompted him to retire.
“Checo has been a wonderful driver for us. Certainly in 2021, 2022, 2023, he contributed to Max’s championship in 2021 and the constructors’ in 2022 and 2023,” Horner instructed Sky Sports activities F1.
“Most of all, he is an awesome man. He isn’t having fun with the scenario he is in for the time being. He is aware of the stress of this enterprise.
“We’re going to give him all of the assist we are able to all the way in which to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi. What he decides to do, that might be his choice on the finish of the day.
“He’s old enough and wise enough to come to his own conclusions. There’s still a race to go.”
Horner later reiterated to the written media: “Checo’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is. Let’s see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”
Perez’s begin to the season, which featured 4 podiums in 5 races, quickly earned him a two-year contract extension in June till the tip of 2026 season however, with Crimson Bull’s bosses not denying that his new time period comprises efficiency clauses.
After Crimson Bull selected to stay with him past the summer time break, Perez produced his greatest type for months at September’s Azerbaijan GP however completed with out something to point out for it after a last-lap collision with Carlos Sainz.
Apart from Baku, Perez has largely struggled and his lack of factors has meant Crimson Bull are prone to end third within the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.
“There is a meeting Monday after Abu Dhabi. All the major people are there, all of the shareholders, and there a decision will be done,” Crimson Bull adviser Helmut Marko instructed Viaplay.
“We always, or most of the time, brought our own drivers through the Red Bull programme and I think it’s a philosophical decision – do we stick to that? And what I got from the shareholders is it will be in this direction.”
Button: Tsunoda deserves probability at Crimson Bull
RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are the 2 main candidates to switch Perez at Crimson Bull for 2025.
Tsunoda will drive the primary Crimson Bull automotive for the primary time in his profession on the post-season Abu Dhabi Check subsequent Tuesday.
2009 F1 world champion and Sky Sports activities F1‘s Jenson Button believes Tsunoda must be Verstappen’s subsequent team-mate.
“I personally think yes,” mentioned Button when requested if Tsunoda deserves an opportunity at Crimson Bull.
“They keep throwing team-mates at him and he keeps kicking them away. He’s a very different Yuki to last year. He’s not as fiery as he was and he’s getting the results.
“I feel he is the plug and play for that place. If it was me, I am undecided I might need to step within the Crimson Bull alongside Max Verstappen, that is the hardest drive within the pit lane, but when he is up for it, nice.
“Lawson, for me, needs to improve still and needs to show he can put in a good result.”
Tsunoda has obtained the higher of Lawson of their 5 occasions as team-mates at RB, following Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in September.
Sky Sports activities F1‘s Anthony Davidson additionally feels Tsunoda, who signed a contract in June to remain at RB in 2025, must be promoted to Crimson Bull.
“From a drivers’ point of view at RB they must be loving this situation where they see in the A team some vulnerability with Sergio Perez and they sniff that chance,” mentioned Davidson.
“So they are going to be driving flat out to try and create that opportunity for themselves and you can see how feisty the drivers are.
“Helmut Marko is the one who has been in command of the younger driver programme at Crimson Bull. I personally imagine Yuki exhibits how lengthy it takes to determine your self in F1. It is a harsh setting to return into.
“RB is a good environment to hone your skills and I believe Yuki is getting there more and more, becoming more consistent.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Thursday December 5
11am: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy Apply One
7am: F2 Apply
9am: Abu Dhabi GP Apply One (session begins at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP Apply Two (session begins at 1pm)*
2.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
3.15pm: The F1 Present*
Saturday December 7
10.15am: Abu Dhabi GP Apply Three (session begins at 10.30am)
12.10pm: F2 Dash Race
1.15pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: ABU DHABI GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: F1 Academy: Race One
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday December 8
7.20am: F1 Academy Race Two
9.20am: F2 Characteristic Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
1pm: The ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Method 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – dwell this coming week on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 1pm. Get Sky Sports activities F1 or stream with NOW