Red Bull Racing never seem to be more than a race away from a driver crisis within their two Formula 1 teams. Daniel Ricciardo was the unfortunate driver to lose his seat at RB after the Singapore Grand Prix after months of speculation. His replacement, Liam Lawson, is now also under scrutiny as he’s been given six race weekends to earn a contract for the 2025 season.

Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future is constantly under discussion, with Mercedes and Aston Martin both interested in his services. Mercedes have put their plans to sign Verstappen on hold, while Aston Martin are pushing hard for Verstappen after hiring Adrian Newey and securing Honda engines from 2026. However, the most under-pressure driver within the Red Bull stable at the moment is Sergio Perez.

Photo by Song Haiyuan/MB Media/Getty ImagesPerez is seriously underperforming this season and the points difference between himself and Verstappen is likely going to cost Red Bull the F1 Constructors’ Championship. It’s been suggested that Perez could be dropped by Red Bull before the end of the season, but a report from Formu1a. uno has suggested that might not be straightforward.

Earlier in the year, Perez could have been dropped by Red Bull due to clauses in his contract. However, the new deal Perez signed ahead of the Candian Grand Prix may have made Red Bull’s job much more difficult if they decide Perez’s time is up. Sergio Perez much harder to sack by Red Bull after signing new contractThe report from F1.

uno suggests that it’s ‘understood’ Perez is ‘not subject’ to performance clauses in his contract anymore. They believe it ‘remains to be seen’ how Red Bull could remove Perez if they would like and ‘what the legal repercussions might be’. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesTalking about Perez’s performance in Mexico and his immediate future, team principal Christian Horner said: “I mean Checo again has had a horrible weekend, and nothing’s gone right for him this weekend.

“He knows F1 is a results-based business, and inevitably, when you’re not delivering, then the spotlight is firmly on you. ”READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nicknameHorner continued: “As I say, F1 is a results-based business, and when anyone is underperforming, of course, there is always going to become scrutiny on that. “And as a team, we need to have both cars scoring points, and that’s the nature of F1.

”Asked if that scrutiny referred to this season or next he said: “It’s constant, it’s always there. So from a team’s perspective, we’re working with him as hard as we can, to try and support him. “I think we’ve done everything that we can to support Checo, and we’ll continue to do so in Brazil next weekend.

But there comes a point in time that you can only do so much. ”Why Sergio Perez was partially blamed for Max Verstappen’s underperformance at the Mexican Grand PrixThe 34-year-old is under increasing scrutiny and despite Perez insisting he would be on the grid in Mexico next year, his performances aren’t up to the required standards for that to happen. During Friday’s practice sessions, Perez was able to undertake all the required tests and simulation runs required for the weekend.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford linksHowever, Verstappen had engines issues that meant he barely got to grips with his car and had to change his power unit as a result. Unfortunately, Verstappen was unable to use Perez’s data to help him set up his own Red Bull as he doesn’t appear to trust his judgement, a problem his rivals at Ferrari and McLaren didn’t race even though Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris gave up their cars to rookies for FP1. Perez wouldn’t have wanted to sign a new contract with Red Bull if it meant they could sack him at the drop of a hat.

If he does lose his seat before the end of the season or during the winter break, there won’t be another place for him on the grid elsewhere in the paddock for 2025.