Daniel Ricciardo’s statement drive in Mexico puts the ultimate pressure on Sergio Perez

If Sergio Perez had certain belief of the 2024 Red Bull seat being his before arriving in Mexico, he must be leaving his place of birth with reasonable doubt over his future.

Sergio Perez via Sky Sports

The Mexican driver fully deserved a seat in the best team following his fantastic efforts at Racing Point in 2020, which included a remarkable last-to-first drive in Sakhir when his future in the sport looked bleak.

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner were likely utterly confident a driver that was never going to go toe-to-toe with Max Verstappen like Daniel Ricciardo did, but neither wanted a driver who underperformed like the inexperienced Alex Albon did. Sergio Perez was exactly what was needed.

What transpired was a very satisfactory 2021 season, in which Sergio Perez played the perfect number two role. The prime example was the superb blocking of Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi that played a part in Max Verstappen winning the title (alongside the FIA manipulation).

The season that followed was the beginning of a major downslope in performance for Perez. The idea that Max Verstappen beats down and bullies his teammates is pretty spot-on. Sergio Perez’ confidence has been completely shattered in the last two years by his teammate, who has been flawless nearly every weekend for the past two years.

The qualifying efforts of Sergio Perez has been so far under par this season, particularly with the dominance of the Red Bull car. With an average qualifying position of 8.95, with Verstappen at 3.21, it is purely an embarrassment. The addition of Daniel Ricciardo must worry Perez.

The Australian has come back hungry and firing, and despite his hand injury, had a remarkable performance in Mexico City, where he maximised the potential of the car.

Climbing on the back of the Mercedes of George Russell at the end of the grand prix was something to behold. He was hungry all weekend and has come back with a strong desire. Is the desire explainable? Unquestionably.

Daniel Ricciardo must be knocking on Christian Horner’s door after this weekend. He has to beg the question whether he can drive in the Red Bull next year, particularly with the fact that Perez crashed out in the first corner of the race.

Christian Horner was asked by Sky Sports about Daniel Ricciardo’s performance and was particularly complimentary; “You couldn’t fail to be impressed by Daniel this weekend. His qualifying was outstanding yesterday, he showed his maturity, experience, and pace. That’s the Daniel we’re used to seeing”.

The reiteration from the Red Bull camp this year has been that Sergio Perez has a contract until 2024 at Red Bull. That has been reinforced constantly after bad performances from the Mexican, but doubts will be casted with three races remaining.

It must be made clear that it is not cheap to remove Sergio Perez for Red Bull, which is typically how driver contracts are built on. If the Red Bull driver is demoted, this decision would have taken a lot of deliberation and consideration.

The treatment of Sergio Perez this season from senior figures inside of the team has been relatively appalling. Most significantly, the racism from motorsport consultant Helmut Marko recently. Although that was resolved, sympathy is being given and Red Bull have been supporting Perez recently.

Rumours have implied that Sergio Perez will lose his seat if he is unable to secure second place in the championship. Following a lap one crash for the Mexican and Lewis Hamilton’s runner-up finish, the gap is only twenty points with three games remaining.

Truthfully, no one knows whether there is ultimatum for Perez and whether Ricciardo has a chance to drive in the current best team in Formula 1 or not.

The last three races might just prove to be a ‘drive to survive’ situation for Perez. He needs to prove he has ability, or his time in Formula 1 will dissipate.