As of 2024, Sergio Perez has not achieved victory over Max Verstappen in any race.
Damon Hill, the 1996 World Champion, has claimed Sergio Perez’s recent F1 2024 struggles have left Red Bull “a little bit one-legged” in the face of the growing threat from Ferrari and McLaren.
Having won all but one race in a dominant F1 2023 season, Red Bull had been hotly tipped to ease to another World Championship double in F1 2024.
Sergio Perez struggles leaving Red Bull on ‘one leg’ against McLaren, Ferrari
Yet despite winning four of the opening five races – including three one-two finishes as Perez came home behind Max Verstappen in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan – Red Bull have appeared more vulnerable over recent weeks, winning just one of the last three.
McLaren and Ferrari have experienced a surge in success, triumphing in Miami and Monaco, respectively. However, during this period, Perez has encountered a troubling setback, failing to secure a podium finish since the Chinese Grand Prix in April.
At the recent races in Imola and Monte Carlo, the Mexican driver was unable to secure a spot in Q3. He finished in 18th place at the principality, while Verstappen could only achieve a sixth-place finish during the same weekend.
Are Red Bull right to retain Sergio Perez?
WATCH: F1 2025 Driver Predictions and BIG Seats Up For Grabs!
Why Sergio Perez’s new Red Bull contract is a big deal for North America
Red Bull put aside worries of a potential mid-season slump as they confirmed this week that Perez had secured a contract extension, ensuring his stay with the team until the conclusion of the F1 2026 season.
During his appearance on the F1 Nation podcast, Hill has advised Perez to step up his performance in order to assist Verstappen, who currently holds a 31-point advantage over Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, prior to the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
He expressed his belief that the competition is intensifying, with two teams exhibiting speed and narrowing the distance to Red Bull on specific tracks.
I believe that if Red Bull is provided with the appropriate track conditions, they could be quite challenging to catch. However, Ferrari and McLaren are definitely in closer competition.
Red Bull currently lacks the same attacking prowess as their competitors since both of their drivers possess the ability to attack, unlike Checo. Hence, they are somewhat disadvantaged in terms of defense.
“Checo must step up significantly. Being only three tenths behind Verstappen is no longer acceptable, as numerous cars can now fill that narrow margin – the gaps have diminished considerably.”
In terms of points, it is apparent that Max’s strong streak of complete dominance is waning, indicating there is still a significant distance to cover.
The season is incredibly lengthy, and I believe that by the time we reach the British Grand Prix in July, you won’t even recall Monaco.
The retention of Perez came as an unexpected move to certain individuals, particularly considering that Carlos Sainz, the departing Ferrari driver, is still seeking an F1 2025 position.
Despite this, Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, emphasized the significance of “continuity and stability” within the team’s driver lineup. He also expressed his support for Perez, believing that he can regain his previous form from the early days of F1 in 2024.
He expressed that it is crucial to finalize our team roster for 2025, and we are delighted to extend our collaboration with Checo.
Last year, our team achieved a remarkable milestone by securing our first ever one-two finish in the Championship, thanks to the successful and strong partnership of Checo and Max. Continuity and stability play crucial roles in maintaining the team’s success.
Checo kicked off 2024 in great form, securing second positions in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, followed by a well-deserved podium finish in China.
Although the recent races have been challenging, we are optimistic about Checo’s abilities and eagerly anticipate his return to his usual impressive form and performance. The grid may be competitive, but we have faith in him.
“Last year was an exceptional season, like finding a unicorn. To hold onto our titles this year, we must put in the effort. However, we are confident in our lineup and the unity of our team, which is crucial in a closely contested Championship that is taking shape.”
Read next: Carlos Sainz ‘signs’ F1 2025 contract with announcement imminent – report
