Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has called on Sergio Perez to boost his performances ahead of next year's Formula 1 season.
Perez has been unable to match the pace of team-mate Max Verstappen throughout the current campaign and sits 204 points down on the Dutchman in the standings.
Red Bull's dominant season with Verstappen has seen it cruise to another double championship, with the team winning 16 of the 17 races staged so far.
Two of those race victories came the way of Perez earlier this year but his strong start has been followed by a disappointing run of form.
At the recent Qatar Grand Prix, Perez started from the pit lane after major changes were made to his car on Saturday after he was involved in a three-car collision during the Sprint, albeit an innocent party as Nico Hulkenberg's Haas and Esteban Ocon's Alpine tangled at Turn 2.
The Mexican recovered to 10th place to secure a solitary point but was issued three five-second time penalties for track limit breaches.
Red Bull's frustration
Perez has a contract that runs until the end of next year's campaign, though that hasn't stopped speculation across the season that he could be at risk of losing his place.
Despite its dominant season, the Milton Keynes-based outfit is expecting rivals to close the gap over the winter and into the new season.
As a result, Horner has stated that Red Bull's run of success could be hampered if Perez is unable to perform at a higher level.
“Well, the frustration is that we know what Checo is capable of doing,” Horner told media including RacingNews365.com.
“Last year and this year he has contributed significantly to the Constructors’ Championship.
“We desperately want him to find that form. As a team, we need him to.
“We can't afford to have a big split because if, as you would expect, the grid continues to concertina next year, we need both drivers delivering at the top of the game.”
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F1Nut
I wish that I knew what has happened to Perez as over the years he has proven to be a good solid points scoring reliable driver. That seems to have ended at the moment - hopefully temporarily. Perhaps he is trying too hard to prove that he can match Max which I don't think that he can. If his current form continues into next season then I can see a mid season driver lineup change. Perhaps Ricciardo into his place and Lawson in to AlfaTauri? I hope that it goes well for him next season but I think that the decision to replace him for 2025 has already been made. We shall see.
ItWasntMe
Perez is experiencing the stark contrast between driving for a top-tier team and a midfield one. When you're with a team like Force India/Racing Point, the pressure to perform in every single race isn't as intense. However, when you're part of the top three teams, they expect you to consistently finish in the top six. Occasional deviations may be forgiven, but if it becomes a recurring issue, the pressure only continues to mount, and crawling out of that pit can seem nearly impossible. For Perez, it's crucial to put this year's setbacks behind him. It's easier said than done, as the ghosts of the past often hinder progress. A natural reset point would be the beginning of the 2024 season, but there's a catch. If Red Bull (Marko), doesn't witness any improvements, they could replace him without hesitation mid season. Let's indeed hope it doesn't come to that!