Door opens for Daniel Ricciardo as Sergio Perez endures horror slump

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is reportedly at risk of losing his seat at the powerhouse F1 team if he can’t turn his fortunes around.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is reportedly at risk of losing his seat at the powerhouse F1 team if he can’t turn his fortunes around.

The 34-year-old, who recently penned a two-year contract extension to stay at Red Bull until 2026, has slipped to fifth on the F1 drivers’ standings after failing to reach the podium in six consecutive races. During the last five races, Perez has registered 15 points as opposed to 101 for teammate Max Verstappen.

“Obviously Sergio has had a tough spell,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports on Friday.

“His first five races were very competitive. The last five have been nowhere, and we want to see the Sergio from the first five back. He knows that, he’s aware of that, he’s been working hard in the sim this week, working hard to understand where it’s just not playing out for him.

“But what we’ve constantly seen with him is this resilience to be able to bounce back. We’re hoping to see that very soon.”

Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Amid growing concerns over Perez’s performances, Auto Motor und Sport has reported the Mexican could be in danger of losing his seat if he doesn’t show signs of improvement, with Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo the leading candidate to replace him.

When asked by the German publication whether Perez was at risk of being replaced, Red Bull Racing Chief Adviser Helmut Marko responded: “We will know more during the summer holidays.”

Driver market still in full swing. We hear Sergio Perez could be in danger of losing his seat if he doesn't improve his performance. Daniel Ricciardo would be first on the list to take over the Red Bull cockpit.

AMuS (in German): https://t.co/X5BapYJHvF

— Tobi Grüner 🏁 (@tgruener) July 5, 2024

According to Planet F1, performance clauses on both Perez and Ricciardo’s contracts allow for a seat switch if desired.

Asked whether Red Bull had offered Perez a contract extension too early, Horner replied: “That’s a brutally hard question.

“It made absolute sense to sign Checo at that point in time, but this is a business in which there are pressures to deliver.”

Horner continued: “We thought the contract would help. I think it’s something that Checo is working very hard on, and he knows this is a sport where there’s no hiding.

“Particularly with Max Verstappen as your teammate. He knows he’s being measured against the very best, and we need him up there supporting Max, because there’s two McLarens now, there’s two Ferraris, there’s two Mercedes and we need there to be desperately two Red Bulls.”

Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Ricciardo, who previously represented Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, has endured a mixed start to his 2024 campaign with RB, sitting 13th on the standings with 11 points.

However, the 35-year-old has shown signs of improvement over the past month, securing points finishes in Canada and Austria.

Fox Sports’ Michael Lamonato analysed the recent performances of Perez and Ricciardo, showing the Honey Badger’s upturn in form has coincided with the Red Bull star’s decline.

Perez, who finished in FP2 at Silverstone on Friday, will have another opportunity to prove his worth at this weekend’s British Grand Prix, with lights out scheduled for midnight on Sunday evening AEST.

Originally published as Door opens for Daniel Ricciardo as Sergio Perez endures horror slump