Red Bull's Sergio Perez sack decision must be made after Mexico

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez sack decision must be made after Mexico GP ….read more

In his latest column, F1 correspondent Daniel Moxon argues that Red Bull needs to make a critical decision regarding Sergio Perez after the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. With the constructors’ championship at risk, the time has come for Red Bull to consider parting ways with Perez if he fails to perform well at his home race.

Perez has not stood on a podium since April, which highlights his struggles in a team that aims for victory every season. While Max Verstappen is likely to defend his drivers’ title, the burden of the constructors’ title challenge falls heavily on Perez’s shoulders. Despite signing a new contract earlier this year, the team might not hesitate to terminate it if necessary, given the importance of the constructors’ championship.

The potential financial implications of losing Perez’s sponsorship are significant, but Red Bull must prioritize performance. Moxon suggests that it’s time for the team to make a decisive change if they wish to contend with McLaren for the constructors’ title. Young driver Liam Lawson demonstrated his capabilities by finishing ninth in Austin, despite starting from the back. If Red Bull deems Lawson not ready, Yuki Tsunoda has shown consistent improvement and might deserve the opportunity.

Moxon proposes that Red Bull should promote either Lawson or Tsunoda and consider bringing in fresh talent like Isack Hadjar, a contender in Formula 2, or Franco Colapinto from Williams, who has also been impressive in his early races. Perez has had ample time to prove himself, and now it may be time to let him race one last time in front of his home crowd before moving on.

In a related note, Moxon addresses the recent criticism directed at Colapinto for not stopping to speak with Martin Brundle during the Austin race. The young Argentine, still adjusting to the demands of F1, faced backlash on social media after the incident. Moxon defends Colapinto, highlighting that this was only his fourth race and he was likely focused on reaching the grid in time for the national anthem. He emphasizes that drivers are not obligated to speak with Brundle, and the moment ultimately contributed to the iconic nature of Brundle’s grid walks.

Overall, Moxon believes that Red Bull has the talent ready to step up and that the time has come for the team to embrace a new generation of drivers. They should consider making a change soon if they hope to reclaim their dominant position in Formula 1.