Perez's Future Up for Debate Next Monday

Red Bull’s Horner highlights the looming threat to their titles, while Perez’s fate will be sealed on Monday.

Red Bull Racing, no longer holding a substantial edge over its rivals, Christian Horner acknowledged that both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are under pressure.

Red Bull introduced a full set of updates in Budapest, yet they failed to elevate the team to McLaren’s level as expected.

With Perez not contending at the front, Max Verstappen’s turbulent race to fifth place and McLaren’s one-two finish mean that Red Bull’s lead in the standings has shrunk to 51 points.

The director of Red Bull Racing emphasized that both Max and the team are under no illusions about the threat to their titles, also highlighting the need for Perez to step up.

“What’s the plan? We’re simply going to develop the fastest car possible; that’s what we’ll continue to do. We want it, Max wants it, Checo wants it. We’re all aligned on this, regardless of what Max says.”

“Max is feeling the pressure, and that’s normal. In the drivers’ championship, Max obviously has a good lead, but that can quickly diminish, so nothing can be taken for granted. He knows it, we know it.”

“In the constructors’ championship, 51 points or whatever the current total, it can be reduced very quickly. Checo knows he has his part to play. He had an exemplary race, his best since China. It’s a pity he didn’t manage his qualifying better, as he could have scored many more points with his pace.”

“We are thus fully aware of the threat and determined to ensure that we start having weekends where we score more points.”

Dr. Helmut Marko also acknowledges that the only way forward for Verstappen and Red Bull is to work harder.

“The car lacks the balance and confidence Max needs, or let me put it this way, we can’t manage to be in front on our own at the moment. But we are leading in both world championships, it’s not as if all is lost. The lead isn’t comforting, but it’s there. So, we need to work harder, and there will be further developments.”

“We cannot afford to make mistakes, otherwise the McLarens will be there.”

Perez’s case will be discussed next Monday.

Perez’s immediate future at Red Bull remains uncertain, despite his strong comeback in Hungary.

Marko stated that Red Bull is still considering a potential immediate replacement for Perez at a crucial meeting scheduled after this weekend’s Belgian GP.

“Perez had a very good race. The strategy worked well. But we are sticking to our previous approach. He needs to have two good races. So, a lot will depend on Spa, the qualifying and the race. Mistakes in Q1 must stop.”

“Monday after Spa, I will fly to England and discuss the procedure with Horner. Then, we will decide together what we will do.”

It is crucial that Perez is not openly criticized by Verstappen, Horner, and Marko, admitting that Perez’s new 2025-2026 contract was at least partly due to their harmonious relationship.

“I support him every weekend,” says Verstappen. “I answer all his questions, including about the race progression. I have a very good relationship with him, it’s not at all a problem.”

“I don’t think we need to go into details about his off-track moments. It’s just unfortunate for Checo, because I thought up until that point, actually, he had a pretty decent weekend. That’s the only thing I want to say about it.”