This is what Perez must do to remain Verstappen's teammate beyond 2024

Sergio Perez still has a contract until 2024 at Red Bull Racing. Many people assume Red Bull will look for a replacement, but what can the Mexican do to retain the seat next to Max Verstappen himself?

After the 2023 F1 season, it may sound crazy, but Perez is largely in control of whether he can extend his contract at Red Bull Racing. Christian Horner already indicated that it is his seat to lose. In other words, if Perez performs, there will be little incentive for Red Bull Racing to part with the Mexican.

Why Red Bull are looking at other drivers

Yet there was much dissatisfaction with Perez during the 2023 season. Helmut Marko made critical comments about the Mexican on several occasions, and several times, there was also talk of other drivers who would be good candidates for the seat. Especially about Alexander Albon, Marko praised and bemoaned the fact that the Thai is now stuck at Williams until 2024.

Perez has also been trusted by Red Bull Racing for 2024 because there was no obvious improvement at hand. Daniel Ricciardo has shown too little since his return. Lando Norris chose to stay at McLaren and many other drivers, including Alexander Albon, have an ongoing contract with their current team. After 2024, that will change.

Red Bull has a lot to choose from, so it is up to Perez to show that he deserves the seat. With Max Verstappen, Red Bull has the front-runner who, with the right car, is always the best man to bet on for the world championship. So, for the team, it is important to have a second man in addition to that who will help them win the constructors' world title and not cause too many problems internally.

Where things went wrong for Perez at Red Bull Racing

In that respect, Perez has succeeded in that task twice since his arrival. In 2022 and 2023, Red Bull became world champion in the constructors, and in 2023, the team even finished first and second in the drivers. A fine achievement for the team and for Perez, but also not entirely unexpected given the RB19's dominance.

So why are these doubts about Perez anyway? It lies in two things: the difference compared to Verstappen and the damage he caused with his crashes. The latter point is the easiest. In 2023, Perez caused over $3 million in damages. A hefty cost for his team. Only Logan Sargeant and Carlos Sainz (partly due to the Las Vegas crash) were the only drivers who caused more damage for their team. By comparison, Verstappen cost his team 'only' $345,000.

The other issue is Perez's speed. From 2021 to 2022, there was a clear upward trend, but in 2023, Perez took a step back. In 2023, that didn't hurt Red Bull Racing because they were supreme, but as the competition gets closer, the question is whether the Mexican is still good enough.

For that, you must go back to 2021, when Perez debuted at Red Bull Racing. Expectations were low then. Perez stepped into a car at the end of the generation. The car was entirely to Verstappen's liking, and Perez had to get used to the car and the team.

That worked out quite well. Perez appeared to be an upgrade over Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon. Whereas Gasly and Albon were far from Verstappen (more than five-tenths difference per qualifying on average), Perez closed this gap with his experience. Perez didn't make as many mistakes as the young drivers and was important to Verstappen in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2021. The fact that Perez scored 200 points less than Verstappen and still lost four-tenths per qualifying is seen as a good start.

In 2022, Perez continued to build, especially at the beginning of the season, where Perez was very competitive. Aided by a car not yet quite to Verstappen's liking and circuits that suit the Mexican, Perez finished ahead of his teammate in a few races and qualifying. Verstappen took the world title and, due to Perez's better performance, Red Bull Racing also became constructors' world champions. Before that, Perez narrowed the gap with Verstappen. In points, Perez was only 150 behind; in qualifying, the difference was only three-tenths on average.

Red Bull rewarded Perez with a multi-year deal through 2024. The hope was that with security, Perez could make another move in 2023. However, the Mexican got ahead of himself. Partly due to a good start to the season and the necessary support from Mexico, Perez expressed his desire to become world champion. The lion in Verstappen was awakened and broke Perez in Miami. Perez suffered blow after blow and was mentally drained. He didn't win any more races and saw the gap with Max widen. He moved back to square one. The gap increased to almost 300 points, and in qualifying, Perez lost more than four-tenths per qualifying session on average.

What Perez needs to do to keep his Red Bull seat

So, it is no surprise that Marko started looking for alternatives for Perez. Norris proved unconvincing for a switch, Albon was fixed, and for Daniel Ricciardo, Marko seemingly thinks it is too early to return. As a result, Perez may drive for Red Bull for another year in which his fate is in his own hands.

As complicated as Formula 1 can sometimes seem, it is also sometimes very simple. Things are quiet at Red Bull now, and you never just break up a winning team. If Perez gives no reason to part ways, Red Bull would be crazy to let him leave. You never know what you're getting into with another driver.

Perez needs to close the gap back to Verstappen on Saturday. At least towards three-tenths again, but ideally, a bit closer to the Dutchman. The bigger the gap between the two, the more likely several drivers will be standing between the two Red Bulls on the grid. With competitors set to get ever closer, Red Bull needs a strong second man close to Verstappen.

That was true on Saturday but also on Sunday. There, the difference between Verstappen and Perez also became twice that in 2022. In 2023, that difference is enough to clinch the constructors' title and even finish second among drivers, but if McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin come closer, one has to wonder.

Perez is not expected to challenge Verstappen for the title. Rather not even. Verstappen will not be upset easily, but Red Bull's complete confidence naturally also gives him an extra boost. Perez needs to stand by him more than anything else. Winning/pole position when Verstappen is unlucky for once or has a lesser weekend. That is the task for Perez. It's very simply put, but oh so hard done with Verstappen as your teammate.