Sergio Perez will uncover whether or not he has a future at Purple Bull following a shareholder assembly after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The beleaguered Mexican has hung onto a seat to date this yr regardless of enduring a dismal season that has left him 251 factors adrift of team-mate and newly-crowned 2024 F1 drivers’ champion Max Verstappen.
Regardless of a string of lacklustre performances, together with his lack of factors additionally all however ending Purple Bull’s defence of the constructors’ title, Perez has publicly loved the backing of the workforce – albeit with clear calls that outcomes want to enhance.
He now seemingly has subsequent weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix and the ultimate race of the yr in Abu Dhabi to show he’s deserving of a 2025 drive, with quite a lot of choices open to Purple Bull and sister workforce RB.
“There will likely be a gathering after Abu Dhabi and the results of this assembly will likely be offered to the shareholders and they’re going to then determine what the driving force scenario for each groups will appear like for subsequent yr,” workforce advisor Helmut Marko informed ORF.
“I do not know the precise hole now, however I believe Checo has over 200 factors lower than Max. After which it is clear that the constructors’ title is not attainable…so if Sergio was wherever close to (Lewis) Hamilton and (George) Russell or Ferrari and even McLaren, then we’d be properly forward once more.”
Having certified a lowly sixteenth in Las Vegas – his sixth Q1 exit of the season – Perez blamed the efficiency of the automotive and, requested about subsequent yr having left the ultimate US race of the yr with a degree from ending tenth, he once more pointed the finger on the equipment.
Watch: Why Verstappen’s 2024 Title Success is His Best But – F1 Las Vegas GP Evaluation
“I believe, we actually want to resolve the problems we have had this yr,” he replied. “I believe the workforce is aware of precisely the place we’re at and Purple Bull is the very best workforce, and I consider that we will have a significantly better automotive for subsequent yr.”
Purple Bull is within the distinctive place of getting 4 contracted drivers on the grid at anyone time, a scenario that solely intensifies the stress on Perez.
RB pairing Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson will each fancy their probabilities of ousting Perez, with the previous testing the Purple Bull after Abu Dhabi and the latter arguably more likely to land the seat full-time.
There’s additionally the intriguing chance of the Purple Bull secure pulling off a transfer to land Franco Colapinto from Williams with the Argentinian having caught the attention since being promoted to a drive earlier within the yr.
“Something concerning the drivers…We have now drivers underneath contract, and now we have drivers with choices that stay between the corporate and the drivers concerned. And there is nothing to say on that. But when there was one thing to say, I might let you know,” stated workforce principal Cristian Horner.
“I imply, clearly, a single level from Checo. I imply, it was drive from him, restoration. However the issue is, we’re beginning out of place on the day that McLaren have been weak. We’d have appreciated to have taken extra factors out of them right now.”
