Red Bull F1 axe verdict with Sergio Perez putting 'no pressure' on Verstappen

14 July 2023 , 07:00

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Sergio Perez is in a slump (Image: Getty Images)

A Formula 1 icon said Sergio Perez has been putting "no pressure" on team-mate Max Verstappen – but feels that is a good thing for Red Bull.

The Mexican started the season well with two wins from the first four races. But he hasn't tasted victory since and instead has slipped to 99 points behind Verstappen.

Not only has he not been winning, but Perez has also secured just one podium from the last five races. Those poor results have come after awful qualifying sessions – he has not started a race in the top 10 since Miami in early May.

That run has led to more speculation over his future. Some people believe the team could replace him at the end of this season unless he can get back to winning ways.

However, Juan Pablo Montoya does not believe that would be the right course of action. "There is no reason to put another driver in instead of Checo Perez. There is no reason to take a risk with something that can disrupt the relationship," the Colombian former racer told VegasInsider.

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"Having Checo as a teammate gives a really nice atmosphere because Max is not under any kind of pressure. Sometimes Checo can bring the A-game and wake Max up and make him go, 'Ooh, I really need to stop playing around.' It works well at the moment."

Verstappen currently has more points by himself than any other team on the grid has managed with both their drivers combined so far this year. With the Dutchman still in lethal form, it seems likely that his dominance will continue in the coming weeks and months.

Max Verstappen has been charging on unchallenged at the top of the standings (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Even though Verstappen is proving that he is capable of winning silverware single-handedly for Red Bull, that is not a sustainable situation. And Montoya believes the team will eventually need to find someone more capable than Perez of delivering on a consistent basis.

The former Williams and McLaren racer added: "Maybe in a few years, two-three years, they need to change and find somebody because Max will go through a phase and that's normal. He's still going to be amazing but he's going to change a little bit.

"Somebody maybe needs to come in with a lot more hunger at that point to get the job done and that's a part of the deal. The media love poking. It's like a dog with a bone and people will react to the story."

Daniel Moxon