“2 wins so far for Verstappen. 2 wins now for Perez. And Just 6 points in the World Championship Battle!” This was the concluding takeaway from the Azerbaijan GP this year. And it feels so far from reality. Sergio Perez gave us hope at the start of 2023, that this year we could have a Red Bull civil war for the drivers’ championship. It did not take long for those hopes to wither away in a drastic fashion. Perez’s form just fell off a cliff from the Miami GP onwards. And it was arguably at its worst when the Milton Keynes team clinched their 6th constructors’ title in Japan.

An ex-Ferrari boss thinks that Checo, in fact, drove a perfect race in Suzuka. Bizarre claim for a race that had the Mexican driver take two 5-second penalties, have multiple collisions, and retire the car twice. So, how was this a “perfect” race for Sergio?

Sergio Perez gets a true reality check on his Red Bull role

When Red Bull was searching for a solid driver besides Max Verstappen, they looked for someone consistent and experienced. Sergio Perez perfectly fitted the bill as per their expectations. A consistent driver who punches above his weight to get amazing results. They essentially wanted a wingman for Verstappen. And Perez did fulfill his role brilliantly at the first time of asking in 2021.

Moving on into 2022 and 2023, Perez felt he also had a shot at the WDC (that aged well) besides the impeccable Dutchman. Former Ferrari general manager Peter Windsor summarized these dreams of Checo and unveiled a brutal reality of how the Mexican driver is mainly cut out to be the perfect number two for Max. Windsor mentioned a few of Perez’s technical weaknesses that don’t allow him to keep up the pace with his champion teammate, citing his Suzuka misery.

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Windsor stated, “Red Bull knew about all of this and hired him to be the number 2 driver to Max. He was a bit feisty in a couple of races earlier in the season, but is now back to being where he needs to be. He drove a perfect race in Suzuka, which was staying out of trouble in the garage and not interfere with anything. It was the perfect number 2 to Max.”

Windsor’s claim of a “perfect race” may seem brutal, but that is how the season has been for Perez. After having won 2 races in Jeddah and Baku, he was certainly within touching distance of the championship lead. However, the difference in his and Max’s racing caliber has often been evident over the last three years.

‘He Destroyed Our Race’: Sergio Perez’s ‘Sh**ty Move’ Criticized by Guenther Steiner and Alex Albon

Thus, it doesn’t make much sense that he may ever be able to edge Verstappen out. Winning the odd races when the two-time champion falters, of course. But, over the course of a season, Max may mostly have the measure of his 6-time race winner teammate. So, what does Red Bull do with Perez if he keeps underperforming?

Who are the possible replacements for Perez?

Sergio Perez has his contract running with Red Bull until the end of 2024. Still, there is a threat that the 6-time champion team may want to end this association earlier than that, given Perez’s drastic fall in form. But who is in line to replace the Mexican? There are a few possible candidates.

First up comes Daniel Ricciardo. There is absolutely no doubt on why the Honey Badger has returned to F1. He wants to regain his mojo, his reputation & everything he lost. Doing that with Red Bull was not something he or anybody thought a year ago. Yet, it may happen if RBR wishes so. Earlier this year, Daniel drove in the Pirelli tire test at Silverstone that got him his AlphaTauri drive. His lap times were good enough to get him a front-row start in the RB19 in the 2023 British GP.

So, Ricciardo could certainly hop into the Red Bull in 2024 if Perez is given the pink slip. Besides the Aussie, even Yuki Tsunoda & Liam Lawson are potential candidates. While the Milton Keynes team is not sure if they want to put a young talent again in the car who may get destroyed by Max, Lawson and Tsunoda could defy that trend. However, a surprising yet willing choice for Red Bull will be Lando Norris. They have been pursuing the McLaren star for a while & feel he would be the perfect match for Verstappen as a teammate.

With 4 solid drivers lurking in the shadow, Sergio Perez needs to get his form sorted quickly. Red Bull won’t be thinking too much before cutting him off if his underperformance continues.

WATCH THIS STORY | Will Daniel Ricciardo Get Swapped in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull?