(Motorsports news) The massive performance disparity between Perez and teammate Max Verstappen this year, with the Dutchman romping to his eighth straight victory at Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix, has generated unending conjecture over Perez’s future. Recent remarks made by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko further fueled the fire, with the Austrian implying in many interviews conducted in German that Perez might not actually take office in 2024 despite having a contract that runs through that year.
It is commonly believed that Daniel Ricciardo’s return with AlphaTauri is an interview for Perez’ Red Bull position, albeit one more geared toward 2025 than 2019. Despite Marko’s remarks, Horner has officially stated during the Zandvoort election that Perez will keep his seat in 2024. “Checo’s situation for next year is clear,” Horner said. “He drives for Red Bull Racing. He and I have a contract.
No matter the agreements, we are happy with the work he is performing. You saw his performance today; unfortunately, the pit lane speed limits cost him a five-second penalty, which caused him to finish fourth instead of first. Perez is the only driver other than Max to have won a grand prix this year, and he is second in the global championship.
He will be our driver in 2024, notwithstanding how simple it is to berate him while the stakes are so high on the opposite side. In the early, rainy laps of the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen scythed up the order after arriving a lap too late for intermediates and handing the lead to Perez. Horner noted that Verstappen was not just crushing his teammate, but also the rest of the grid.
There is no driver on the grid, in his opinion, who could match what Max has been doing in that vehicle, and he is currently in a phase of his career when he is just invincible. “Because the stakes are so high, being his teammate is perhaps in some ways the least desirable position to have.
The performance on the timesheet and the results sheet must be examined. Checo would have won another four or five races if Max hadn’t been present. So, he’s performing his duties. He comes in second place overall. You attended today’s performance. He had bad luck receiving the speeding fine. And maybe before the year is up, he will add to his victories.
