Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has candidly admitted to having a “terrible season” and believes the Mexico City Grand Prix result could make a huge change to his 2024 F1 campaign.
This admission comes amid growing speculation about his future with the team, as he finds himself significantly trailing his teammate, Max Verstappen, in both performance and points.
With the Mexico City Grand Prix on the horizon, Perez’s reflections on his challenging year highlight not just personal struggles but also the implications for Red Bull Racing as they navigate a competitive landscape.
The 2024 F1 season began on a promising note for Sergio Perez and Red Bull as they enjoyed three one-two finishes in the first four races, setting high expectations for both drivers. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the Chinese Grand Prix, where he last stood on the podium.
Since then, the Mexican driver has faced a series of challenges that have left him languishing in eighth place in the Drivers’ Championship, a staggering 204 points behind Verstappen, who leads the standings with an impressive 354 points.
This downturn has not only affected Perez’s standing but has also placed Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship under threat from rivals like Ferrari and McLaren with the latter recently taking the lead.
In a recent press conference ahead of his home race, Sergio Perez expressed his frustration with his performance throughout the season.
“Yeah, definitely, I know I’ve had a terrible season, a very difficult one,” he told media at the Mexico City Grand Prix. “It started really well, but, yeah, it’s been really, really difficult.”
The implications of Perez’s struggles extend beyond personal disappointment; they are crucial for Red Bull’s championship aspirations. Currently sitting 40 points behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, every point counts as they head into the final races of the season.
The pressure is mounting for the 34-year old to deliver results that can help solidify Red Bull’s standing and support Verstappen’s title bid. In light of this pressure, he remains hopeful that a strong performance at his home race could serve as a turning point for him this season.
Reflecting on his past successes at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he has previously stood on the podium alongside his son, Sergio Perez highlighted how significant this race is for him personally.
“For me, you know, if I get a strong result, it can definitely change my season massively, in terms of personal feeling,” he added. “So I’m really up for it.
“I think that moment will stay with me forever, having my son up there with me on the podium watching me. It’s something that I hope he remembers forever, if not I have the picture, at least, to show him when he’s old, you know?
“Those moments, I think it’s the ones that really matter to me, and I hope I can repeat that one this weekend.”
The emotional weight of racing at home adds another layer to his desire to perform well; it is not just about points but also about pride and connection with fans who have supported him throughout his career.
Despite being contracted with Red Bull until 2025, speculation about Perez’s future is rife. The presence of young talents like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda waiting in the wings raises questions about whether Red Bull will consider making changes if Perez cannot improve his performance.
While he acknowledges that he is under scrutiny, he maintains that both he and the team are focused on finding solutions to their current challenges.
“I feel that I’m in the same boat as a team, we’re working towards solving it,” Perez added. “We found a big issue in Monza.
“So, after Monza, we thought we were finding direction. So we’re heading in the right direction, this is Formula 1, sometimes the results are not coming, and you just have to make sure you keep your head down.
“You focus on the stuff that you can control, and the rest is something that you cannot get bothered with.”
The technical difficulties that have plagued Perez this season cannot be overlooked. He has struggled to unlock the full potential of his RB20 car, which has hampered his ability to compete effectively against not only Verstappen but also other drivers on the grid.
“I think momentum in Formula 1 is very important,” he said. “When you just put the car on track, and you know that everything is working, and you are so further ahead of the people that put the car on track and have a lot of problems.
“I think it’s the same for everyone, but I also know how these sports work and it’s all about your last race. So, if I get a good one here – I got a good one in Baku, but it didn’t work out – if I get a good one here, then my season can definitely take a U-turn.
“The most important is that we are able to feel comfortable with the car, which, at the moment, we are just not able to unlock the full potential of the car.
“We come to the weekends, trying a lot of things, different things, every weekend, and it makes just the whole Grand Prix a lot more difficult.”
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