Why Red Bull and Verstappen should worry about Perez's dip

There was a time when Max Verstappen loudly proclaimed that he would win the constructors' world title on his own. After all, Red Bull's car was so good that he didn't even need a teammate to win both world titles. Things are a little different in 2024, with Ferrari and McLaren edging closer.

Both rivals have repeatedly pointed out Red Bull's weakness. Team bosses and drivers of Red Bull's rivals have repeatedly revealed that they do have two drivers who are close to each other. A clear jab at Sergio Perez, who seems unable to get closer to Verstappen.

With the teams getting closer and closer together, the Perez problem is becoming more and more obvious. Not only in qualifying as described, but especially in the final results. Poor qualifying earned Perez much lower points totals in Australia, Imola and Monaco than it would have been possible. That is now starting to hold back Red Bull. Because where Ferrari and McLaren indeed have drivers who are closer together, Red Bull does not.

What do Verstappen and Horner think of Perez?

When GPblog asked Max after the Monaco Grand Prix whether he doesn't need a teammate who is closer to him, Verstappen says: "I think, first of all, we need to understand our problems. I don't even want to think about that yet. We still have a great car, but we also know our limitations, and that is priority number one."

Christian Horner also does not want to throw Perez under the bus after the Monaco GP: "Well, look, this weekend's been pretty brutal for him. Obviously, we need to make sure that we've got both cars up there scoring points because we cannot dismiss the threat of Ferrari and McLaren in both championships."

Where Ferrari and McLaren continue to score, Red Bull has a second driver who is conceding three tenths on his teammate every week: "No, I haven't missed that," Horner answers, also looking for a way to help the Mexican. "Checo's first six races he was very strong. He was qualifying on the front row and finishing second and third and scoring very well. We just need to get him back into that position of confidence and not to see a dip."

How to proceed with Perez

Still, Red Bull do have to fear that dip. The European season is generally not Perez's best ground. In recent years, this was already noticeable, even when the car was mega dominant. Last year, for instance, Perez finished sixth in Canada, fourth in Spain, third in Austria and sixth at Silverstone. Verstappen won all those races with ease.

If Perez leaves such a gap to his teammate again in those next four Grands Prix, chances suggest that Ferrari and McLaren will not miss the opportunity to catch up further. Both teams are now really competing for the world title, and it will also be exciting for the drivers. Indeed, without cover from his teammate, Verstappen will have to go for it alone, and Red Bull is limited in strategic options.