'Do or Die' race for Sergio Perez in Belgium as Red Bull likely to dump Checo mid season!

Star Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez is heading into a pivotal race weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, with his position at Red Bull hanging by a thread. This race could be the make-or-break moment in Perez’s career, as a poor performance may result in his immediate removal from the team.

The stakes are high, with Perez having only scored 21 points in the last seven race weekends. His recent form has left Red Bull exposed in the Constructors’ Championship, particularly as McLaren's MCL38 has shown significant improvements in both speed and reliability.

The looming threat of being axed has been hinted at for weeks, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko making pointed remarks about using the last races before the summer break to evaluate Perez’s performance. The decision regarding Perez's future with the team is imminent and will likely determine whether he continues to race alongside Max Verstappen in the RB20.

Who can replace Sergio Perez in Red Bull?

In the wings are reserve driver Liam Lawson and seasoned veteran Daniel Ricciardo, both eager for an opportunity to step into Perez’s seat should Red Bull decide to make a change. Sources suggest that Lawson and Ricciardo have no clear favourite if the team chooses to drop Perez.

The evaluation of Perez’s performance is expected based on his relative performance to Verstappen rather than his final race result. Speculation has been rife about the specific criteria Perez needs to meet, including rumours of contract clauses requiring him to be within 100 points of Max Verstappen by the end of the summer break. 

There is also uncertainty regarding whether Perez would be demoted to the VCARB line-up or dropped entirely, though the latter seems unlikely. Despite the intense pressure, Perez remains confident in his ability to retain his seat.

When questioned about the possibility of the Belgian Grand Prix being his last race with Red Bull, Perez responded affirmatively about his future with the team. He stated, “I know what is in my contract. And I know the team trusts in me, and I know where the main focus is, which is delivering on the track.”