Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has asserted the team will “look at the facts” when it comes to a driver line-up decision for next year.
Sergio Perez's position within the squad has been under scrutiny for some time amid a series of lacklustre performances this season.
A number of F1 drivers, including RB's Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, have been linked with a promotion to the senior team.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently declared that any decision over the team's line-up would be made after Abu Dhabi amid speculation he could be axed ahead of the final three races.
When asked about Perez's future and if the team is heading towards a decision, Horner told media including RacingNews365: “Everything in life is subjective, and I think you've got to look at the facts.
“We’re working hard with Checo. He had a chassis change [in Brazil]. I thought he drove a good [sprint] race, but [Sunday] wasn't his day.”
Viewed by others:
Red Bull still focused on constructors' F1 glory
Carlos Sainz has also been briefly been linked with the seat - however, Horner told Talksport that the Williams-bound driver “wouldn't form part of our plans” for next season.
Perez opened the campaign with a series of strong results but his last podium finish came in China, almost seven months ago.
His run of poor performances has contributed to Red Bull's dip in the constructors' championship, with the Milton Keynes-based outfit now sitting in third place.
However, Horner asserted Red Bull has not given up hope of retaining the teams' title.
“F1 as we know, is a results-based business,” he stated. “Sergio is very, very aware of that.
“He's not happy with how the season has gone for him, as you would expect.
“He's big enough and old enough and wise enough to recognise that, but our focus is very much still on the constructors’ championship as well.
“We need Sergio to be up there scoring in these last three races, if we want to have any chance of challenging either Ferrari or McLaren.”
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on last weekend's spectacular São Paulo Grand Prix. Max Verstappen's incredible victory from 17th is a leading talking point, and how the Dutchman is within touching distance of a fourth F1 drivers' title.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
The famous RN365 calendar download is back! Add the 2025 F1 calendar to your schedule with one click and don't miss a second of the new F1 season.
Download the F1 calendarMost read
In this article
Join the conversation!
Feersumenjin
More F1 doublespeak from Horner. Just what "Facts" are you in fact (pun) looking at. The falloff of performance fact, the money Perez brings in to the team fact? The constructors left the building Chris, so get over it and deal with the fact;) I really wish George Orwell was still around, the political miasma that is F1 today would have been worth a couple of dystopian novels at least.
Keith Ashman
I think Christian has a tough call to make as the investment brought in is by no means insignificant. My guess is Sergio may have benefitted from a complex Red Bull set up withe the car designed around Max and Adrian who wenr far deeper into day trackside race advice than we realise not being there to guide the process. Unfortunately the continual interference from Jo's has destabilise everyone but that is his way. If he cannot get his way then he destroys a around him.... Jnr must not fall foul of this wayward behaviour.
Roberto_Giacometti
Hmmmmmm , let us break out the calculator , which is worth more , mexican pesos or argentinian pesos ???????