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Marko says Red Bull are "evaluating everything" surrounding Perez
Helmut Marko has said that Red Bull are "evaluating everything" surrounding Sergio Perez but denies a potential drive swap after the Brazilian Grand Prix, as GPblog reported earlier. It has been a tough 2024 for the Mexican after signing a two-year extension with the Austrian team, and last week's last-place finish at his home race at the Mexican Grand Prix highlighted the struggles that the 34-year-old is going through on the track.
After a good start to the 2024 season, Red Bull Racing made the decision to extend Perez's contract, giving him a seat at the Austrian team for next season. However, since then, it has all gone downhill. Multiple crashes and mistakes have put Perez on the back foot at most weekends, and five Q1 eliminations show how tough the Mexican has found it behind the wheel of the RB20.
"We are currently evaluating everything," Marko told Kleine Zeitung. However, the 81-year-old team advisor stressed that the current Formula 1 season will be completed first before there are any changes made to the team. "Decisions will only be made after Abu Dhabi," he continued by saying.
But that contract that Perez has until 2026 could be ended earlier if improvements aren't made. The 34-year-old driver's last podium finish was all the way back at the Chinese Grand Prix, more than half a year ago. Red Bull have struggled to be as competitive as they have been over the last couple of years compared to McLaren, but even so, Marko still thinks it is far too little.
"The drop to third in the constructors' championship, the 200 points behind Max Verstappen, all this speaks volumes," the Austrian continued. In Mexico, Perez crossed the line 17th and last in front of his he fans, constantly complaining about a lack of balance and that his brakes were not working. "We investigated everything because he said there were problems with the brakes and chassis. I expect he will even get a new chassis now to calm him down."
Hadjar has the chance to move to F1
An obvious scenario is that Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson are promoted after the season, meaning a spot at Visa Cash App RB would become vacant. It seems unlikely that Sergio Perez would move down to the Red Bull junior team, and so Red Bull junior driver Isack Hadjar is being looked at. The runner-up in the Formula 2 championship still has a chance of winning the title in the junior Formula.
The young Frenchman will be in action on behalf of VCARB during the first free practice at the Yas Marina Circuit at the final Grand Prix of the year in Abu Dhabi. "That will also be decisive for his future. Then there is also a test on Tuesday after Abu Dhabi, where a number of drivers who are eligible for next year will be at the start." But is Hadjar ready for Formula 1? "Yes, absolutely. He was faster than Franco Colapinto in all junior categories," Marko believes.
This article was created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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