![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/the-reason-stopping-red-bull-from-axing-sergio-perez-as-daniel-ricciardo-lies-in-wait/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_F1-Miami-GP-Auto-Racing-Miami-Gardens-United-States-07-May-2023.jpg&description=Perez's position with Red Bull is being constantly doubted with team-mate Max Verstappen so far ahead and Daniel Ricciardo gunning for his seat having returned to the F1 grid Rarely has the position of a driver who is second in the Formula 1 world championship been questioned so much. But Sergio Perez is the subject of intense scrutiny at the moment. His crime? Not being as good as Max Verstappen. And, to be fair to him, few are. Perez began the season by hinting that he might be able to provide a test for his Red Bull team-mate this season. They took two victories each from the first four races and, with the Mexican only six points behind his team-mate, were were hoping for an intra-team title race, even if no-one else could match them. Red Bull's unbeaten run is still intact, but Perez hasn't won since. Verstappen is on eight victories in a row and, frankly, you wouldn't put it past him getting into double figures in that regard. Karun Chandhok said this week that the Miami Grand Prix, at which Perez qualified on pole before he was still beaten by his team-mate who started ninth, "broke" him. And, to be honest, he's probably right. A horrible run of qualifying performances followed, which in turn left him powerless to challenge his team-mate on race day. He finally ended his hoodoo in Belgium last weekend and started second, but still finished 22 seconds adrift of Verstappen who was four places behind at the start. As a result of Verstappen's domination, there has been plenty of speculation over Perez's place. He has a contract to the end of 2024, but many have suggested Red Bull might pull the trigger before then if he continues to struggle. It's not an unreasonable prediction. After all, Red Bull have rarely shied away from axing a driver mid-season if performance expectations have not been met. Just ask Nyck de Vries. And Daniel Ricciardo's return to the grid should put extra pressure on Perez, as there's now one more potential replacement being given a chance){kind=link}
Perez’s position with Red Bull is being constantly doubted with team-mate Max Verstappen so far ahead and Daniel Ricciardo gunning for his seat having returned to the F1 grid
Rarely has the position of a driver who is second in the Formula 1 world championship been questioned so much.
But Sergio Perez is the subject of intense scrutiny at the moment. His crime? Not being as good as Max Verstappen. And, to be fair to him, few are.
Perez began the season by hinting that he might be able to provide a test for his Red Bull team-mate this season. They took two victories each from the first four races and, with the Mexican only six points behind his team-mate, were were hoping for an intra-team title race, even if no-one else could match them.
Red Bull’s unbeaten run is still intact, but Perez hasn’t won since. Verstappen is on eight victories in a row and, frankly, you wouldn’t put it past him getting into double figures in that regard.