As dawn breaks on a crucial Saturday for Sergio Pérez, the pressure mounts for the Red Bull driver ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. While Pérez remains positive about the upcoming qualifying session, his recent struggles and Red Bull’s track record with second drivers have sparked speculations about his future with the team. This blog post delves into the challenges Pérez faces and the potential implications for his Formula 1 career.
Friday’s practice sessions didn’t go smoothly for Pérez, exacerbating the scrutiny surrounding his performance. A slight error during FP1 led to his car colliding with the barriers, cutting short his first practice session. Despite Red Bull mechanics’ commendable efforts to repair the RB19 for FP2, Pérez only managed a disappointing P18 position in the second session. Adding to his frustration, he posted his fastest lap time on soft tires but finished behind drivers who used the medium compound.
Despite the setbacks, Pérez maintains an optimistic outlook heading into the weekend. Admitting his mistake in FP1, he praises his team’s efforts and the valuable data gathered during FP2. While it’s premature to evaluate the impact of recent upgrades, Pérez expresses his confidence for qualifying and aims for a solid weekend. He also takes to social media to thank his team for their tireless work in getting the RB19 back on track.
Pérez faces mounting pressure to improve his form, especially during qualifying. Teammate Max Verstappen has publicly emphasized the need for Q3 as Red Bull aspires for greater success with the RB19. Moreover, Red Bull’s history suggests they may not be patient with their second drivers, as Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and Lando Norris pointed out during media sessions.
Given Red Bull’s reputation and the return of Daniel Ricciardo to the grid, rumors about Pérez’s future have intensified. Ricciardo himself envisions a possible return to Red Bull as a “fairytale” ending, supported by Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal. Yuki Tsunoda’s commendable performance at AlphaTauri further raises questions about Pérez’s position, as his replacement, Nyck de Vries, was struggling. With Ricciardo joining the team, both AlphaTauri and Red Bull can better assess Tsunoda’s capabilities.
As Pérez prepares for Saturday’s track activities, it becomes apparent that this day holds great significance for his Formula 1 career. If he secures a spot in Q3 and puts the RB19 at the front of the grid for the main race on Sunday, the pressure might lessen temporarily. However, another disappointing performance could bring him closer to the exit.
The Business Press 