'I doubt Perez has a future at Red Bull Racing'

Sergio Perez still has a contract until 2024 at Red Bull Racing. The pressure is on the Mexican for the upcoming season. Mika Hakkinen explains what Red Bull will expect from its driver and what Perez especially should not do.

Perez has completed three seasons at Red Bull. The Mexican made himself immortal after his performance in Abu Dhabi in 2021 and continued that streak in 2022. Perez looked like a good teammate for Verstappen in 2022 when Red Bull Racing also won the constructors' world title again. In 2023, Perez started strongly but caused turmoil by wanting to compete for the title with Max Verstappen.

Why Red Bull has doubts about Perez

"Perez is the slowest. It has been quite clear now. If the guy who is slower accepts it, he can communicate well with the media and the garage. He can develop the car well. He is motivated and can stay within 3 or 4 tenths. I don't think it's a bad thing. I think it's a pretty OK situation," Hakkinen said in a Unibet video.

"But if the teammate starts to complain, if he accuses the team of nothing giving him a good car, he is not motivated. If the results go up and down, it’s not good for the team. Then the team has to make changes."

Much will depend on Perez's performance in 2024, but Hakkinen also stresses that Red Bull has an interest in sticking with the Mexican. "I know that it is important for the garage to have a Mexican driver. Mexico is a big market. It has a big impact on things. But in the end, we are in a competition and to bring good results, you can’t rely on one driver. You have to get two drivers to a certain level so that you can do good development. Is Perez’s future at Red Bull? I think it’s highly unlikely," concluded the two-time world champion.