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Perez doesn't belong in Formula 1: Do Red Bull still have the receipt?
- Ludo van Denderen
Missing Q2 (again) during qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix is another low point in Sergio Perez's career. The Mexican is simply not good enough for Red Bull Racing, and that's not the first time he has demonstrated that. Perez is not good enough to have a place in Formula 1 at all. When will his employer (team principal Christian Horner) see that? Do Red Bull actually still have the receipt, to still get out from under that silly, two-year contract with Perez?
Christian Horner found it especially very disappointing for Perez, "by such a small margin in Q1 as he struggled with the rear grip in the car". The Mexican confirmed this by saying, for example, "We just couldn't get everything to work, especially the rear axle. I think it was a very strange session for a lot of cars out there. We did struggle quite a lot with the rear end."
Anyone reading all this back would think that a driver from Sauber or Williams just failed to make it through to Q2 here. But no, this is about Sergio Perez. The (thanks to more luck than quality) vice-world champion, racing for Red Bull Racing. That team are the reigning constructors' world champions and also currently leading the title race. With a car from that team, Sergio Perez did not manage to get out of Q1. Logan Sargeant managed to do so with a Williams in Montreal, just to illustrate.
Perez should never fail like this with Red Bull
Let's be real: Perez should never, ever be eliminated on the basis of speed in Q1 of qualifying. Even if the rear of his car does not quite do what he wants, it simply should not occur. The worst thing is: a fortnight ago in Monaco, it also happened. But instead of giving Perez a huge, verbal slap on the wrist then, Red Bull shoved a new contract under his nose. For two years.
In Formula 1, it is normal for drivers to talk about 'we'. After all, Formula 1 is a team sport. But after a setback like the one in Montreal, Perez would be wise towards his mechanics not to use the word 'we' for a while. No doubt his team have given Perez a fine car, one that could effortlessly make the top 10. Otherwise, take a look at the other side of the garage, where Max Verstappen finished second. No, there is no 'we' here; this should have been 'I'. 'I - Sergio Perez and Sergio Perez alone - messed up here'.
Why is Horner holding Perez's hand?
Even after Perez's latest debacle, Christian Horner was quite sympathetic to the failing driver. That was different in the past, when, for example, Pierre Gasly or Alex Albon were no closer to Verstappen. At least they still made it to Q3. Or take Nyck de Vries, who was harshly dismissed by Horner after barely ten races. But apparently, what was true for other drivers before him in the Red Bull family does not apply to Perez. The Mexican does not have to perform, he gets away with anything and everything. As mentioned, with a new two-year contract in his pocket, he gets to muddle along for another two years even after the current season.
Red Bull would be really wise to cut their losses: Give Perez a nice commutation fee and tear up that just concluded contract. Give Yuki Tsunoda a chance, or Liam Lawson. Because things won't work out with Perez. No way.