Former Formula 1 race winner Johnny Herbert has called for the Red Bull team to make a bold move by dropping Sergio Perez from their lineup. Herbert believes that Perez should be replaced by Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda without delay.
Perez, who has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025 with an option for 2026, has been struggling as Max Verstappen’s teammate this season. The Mexican driver has not won a race since April 2023 and currently lags behind Verstappen in the championship by 204 points. His future with the team remains uncertain as he prepares to race at his home event, the Mexico City Grand Prix, this weekend.
After finishing in seventh place at the recent US Grand Prix, while Verstappen secured a podium finish, Perez’s performance has raised questions about his position within the team. Red Bull has also slipped from the top spot in the constructors’ championship to now trailing behind McLaren, with Ferrari closely behind by just eight points.
Herbert emphasised the importance of Red Bull making a change in order to maintain their position in the championship standings. He stated, “Sergio is delivering but not quite delivering enough so do they replace him now? I think yes, if they’re trying to keep that second place in the constructors.”
The former F1 driver added, “Whether they have the cojones to do it before Sergio Perez’s home race in Mexico is the question – I’d say yes, because of the way the constructors is playing out at the moment. Maybe they will keep Perez in Mexico and then make the call for Brazil.”
Despite RB’s Liam Lawson impressing in Austin and being linked with a potential move to Red Bull for 2025, Herbert believes that Yuki Tsunoda deserves the opportunity to step up. He praised Tsunoda’s consistency and improvement throughout the season, advocating for the young driver to be given a chance to prove himself alongside Verstappen.
As the tension builds ahead of the upcoming race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Perez will be aiming to deliver a strong performance to secure his future with the team.
Insights and Summary:
Johnny Herbert’s opinion on Red Bull potentially parting ways with Sergio Perez and considering Yuki Tsunoda as his replacement sheds light on the intense competition and high stakes in Formula 1. The dynamics within F1 teams can have a significant impact on their performance in the championship, as highlighted by Herbert’s views. The upcoming races will be crucial for Perez to prove his worth and for Red Bull to make strategic decisions to stay competitive in the season.