F1 News: Sergio Perez's "Highly Unlikely" To Remain With Red Bull According To Former Champion

Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen speaks out on Sergio Perez's future with Red Bull.

Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull remains a topic of intense speculation as he approaches the final year of his contract in 2024. Two-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen, recently shared his insights, emphasising Perez's role and the pressures he faces within the team.

Key Takeaways:

• Perez's Tenure at Red Bull: Having completed three seasons at Red Bull, Perez began to struggle in 2023 after strong performances in 2021 and 2022. 
• Hakkinen's Assessment: Mika Hakkinen, in a Unibet video, pointed out that Perez's slower pace compared to Verstappen is acceptable as long as he remains motivated and within a close time margin. Hakkinen emphasised the importance of a positive team relationship and consistent performance.
• 2024 Performance and Market Influence: Perez's performance in 2024 is pivotal. Hakkinen acknowledged the market value of having a Mexican driver like Perez in the team but stressed the necessity of strong results from both drivers for effective development and competition.

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Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is under the spotlight as his contract extends until 2024. The pressure for the upcoming season is immense, and the expectations from the team are high. Perez's journey with Red Bull has been noteworthy, especially his remarkable performance in Abu Dhabi in 2021 and his consistent showing in 2022. He has proven to be a valuable teammate to three-time World Champion Max Verstappen, contributing significantly to the team's success in winning the constructors' world title.

Mika Hakkinen, sharing his perspective in a Unibet video, expressed that Perez being slower than Verstappen is not inherently negative, provided Perez accepts this and remains within a competitive time range. Hakkinen said:

"Perez is the slowest. It has been quite clear now. If the guy who is slower accepts it, he can communicate well with the media and the garage. He can develop the car well. He is motivated and can stay within 3 or 4 tenths. I don't think it's a bad thing. I think it's a pretty OK situation."

However, Hakkinen also warned against potential pitfalls, stating:

"But if the teammate starts to complain, if he accuses the team of not giving him a good car, he is not motivated. If the results go up and down, it’s not good for the team. Then the team has to make changes."

Looking ahead to 2024, Perez's performance will be crucial. While acknowledging the significance of a Mexican driver for Red Bull's market reach, Hakkinen underlined the competitive nature of the sport. He concluded:

"Mexico is a big market. It has a big impact on things. But in the end, we are in a competition and to bring good results, you can’t rely on one driver. You have to get two drivers to a certain level so that you can do good development. Is Perez’s future at Red Bull? I think it’s highly unlikely."