Sergio Perez in troubled waters: Very painful statistic for the Mexican

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is in a very difficult phase of his career. The Mexican hoped to seize the world title this year, but is 99 points behind teammate Max Verstappen after 10 races. A very painful statistic speaks volumes.

The gap could have been even bigger had he not been able to make up a large number of places during the races. The six-time race winner failed to qualify for Q3 over the past five race weekends. This earns the Mexican a very painful statistic. It is the first time in 16 years that a Red Bull driver has such a low average qualifying position over a five race period.

In Monaco, Perez crashed in Q1, forcing him to start from 20th place. In Spain he had to start from P11, in Canada from P12, in Austria he qualified as fifteenth, and in Silverstone he noted the sixteenth fastest lap. To match these results, we have to go back to 2007, when the then Red Bull driver David Coulthard had a slightly lower average over five races.

It is indicative of the Mexican's form, who is under pressure at Red Bull. Helmut Marko has revealed that his position is not in danger, partly because there would be no suitable replacement. The Austrians have now temporarily lodged Daniel Ricciardo with AlphaTauri, to see if the Australian has found his old form again. He could then possibly be an option to take over the seat next to Max Verstappen in the future.