“If Checo Doesn’t Like It, Then He Can Leave”: One Question Leaves Sergio Perez Sentenced to F1 Career in Max Verstappen’s Shadow

Red Bull always has something spicy going on between their drivers. Be it Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo or Ricciardo and Man Verstappen. Now, the latest fiasco has heated up between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Despite a rather comfortable relationship with Verstappen over 2 seasons, Perez is now in a tricky spot in terms of the team dynamics.

Max Verstappen denied Sergio Perez of 6th place in Brazil, despite Red Bull’s team orders. While Perez was quite furious over the Dutchman’s actions, Christian Horner calmed the matter down post the Brazil weekend. Although David Coulthard has mentioned that if Checo has any issues with the feud with Verstappen, he should leave Red Bull.

Coulthard said, “Checo was out of Formula 1 [in 2020] with no one knocking on his door. Red Bull gave him the opportunity to come back, and a car that’s nailed on to win races.”

The former Red Bull driver mentioned how Sergio has had a fair chance to compete with Verstappen. He said, “He’s had a fair crack of the whip to try to beat Max [Verstappen], and he has consistently not delivered on the same level. He has occasionally done so, and I admire the victories he has had.”

Coulthard further added that Perez should accept he is the #2 at Red Bull or else he may leave. He stated, “If Checo doesn’t like it, then he can leave the team, but where is he going? So, for me, it’s just another one of those sporting decisions.”

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It will be intriguing to see Perez really take any major step on his Red Bull stint, as the Mexican has enjoyed the best 2 seasons of his career, results-wise.

Does Sergio Perez have anywhere to go besides Red Bull?

Sergio Perez and Red Bull have probably helped each other in fulfilling each of their needs since last year. When Perez was out of a drive for 2021, Red Bull was the one team to consider him and grant him an opportunity.

Likewise, Perez fulfilled Red Bull’s need for a solid teammate to Max Verstappen, by being a strong rear gunner for the Dutchman. While he may not have matched Max wheel-to-wheel, the Milton Keynes outfit never expected him to do the same.

All Red Bull ever wanted was for Checo to be in the mix to beat their rivals, Mercedes. While he has done so, does a team orders fiasco overshadow all these efforts in the last 2 years?

And even if the feud with Verstappen goes overboard, is there a better option for Checo to leave Red Bull and go? Perhaps not. The Mexican might look at Daniel Ricciardo‘s case and how he returned to Red Bull as a reserve, despite leaving them 4 years ago due to a similar team dynamic issue.

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It’s not easy to find a top team drive and Perez knows it as he was in the mid-field for years before Red Bull came calling. So, it should not be an impulsive call to leave by Checo. Do you think Perez will stay if the feud with Verstappen goes overboard?