£215k-a-week Formula 1 driver told he ‘doesn’t deserve’ his seat on the grid

Follow us on Google Discover

After every Formula 1 driver was retained by their respective seats at the end of the 2023 season, there’s every chance that the grid will be really shaken up next year.

Thirteen drivers are heading towards the end of their current contracts and after Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed, suddenly an opportunity opened up at a top team that very few people expected.

Speaking on the Missed Apex Podcast, driver Bradley Philpot has given his opinion on one of the most experienced drivers he doesn’t feel should be on the grid right now.

While there are plenty of other racing series out there, many motorsport fans would argue that Formula 1 is the pinnacle.

The best 20 drivers should be on the grid as a result although that’s very rarely ever the case.

Philpot has argued that Red Bull driver Sergio Perez isn’t among that group and isn’t sure if he deserves his seat any more.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

After two podium finishes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, he failed to challenge the Ferraris or McLarens in Melbourne.

Bradley Philpot isn’t sure Sergio Perez deserves his Formula 1 seat

Given Red Bull’s current dominance of Formula 1, Sergio Perez will recognise that he’s a man under pressure right now.

He has potentially 21 more race weekends to prove that he deserves a new contract, but there are some very interesting options Red Bull could look at to replace him.

While there’s talk that Perez has already signed a one-year extension, Carlos Sainz’s availability makes Christian Horner committing to the Mexican this early unlikely.

The race winner in Australia is high on Horner’s list of potential alternatives although Helmut Marko is less convinced.

The 34-year-old Perez needs to prove that he deserves his seat in the fastest team on the grid.

Ferrari are closing the gap in the Constructors’ Championship and Red Bull need both drivers to be on top form to guarantee they retain that title.

Right now, Perez’s ability to keep up with Verstappen is being scrutinised on a race-by-race basis.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Sergio Perez has a point to prove heading to Suzuka

Speaking about the 34-year-old, Philpot said: “Knowing what we know now about [Sergio] Perez’s relative performance, having had him in the spotlight more often obviously being in a top team, we know his relative performance to a real top driver.

“So, really the question is, how high up would those cars he was getting podiums in have been with actual better people?

“And I think Perez is, I know you said he’s done better than [Pierre] Gasly and [Alex] Albon at Red Bull but I think he’s had a much fairer crack at it.

“Most of his time he’s had a car that’s way easier to drive, better, he can afford to be further away from Max [Verstappen] and still get front-running finishes.

“I think if you slotted a Gasly or an Albon into that seat now, I think they would be closer to Max than Perez is, that’s just how I feel.

“I think Perez is in my doesn’t deserve to be on the grid based on us putting the top 20 drivers in the world in.”

Sergio Perez’s long-term Red Bull replacement might already be lined up

The £215,000-a-week Mexican driver appears to be under constant pressure, but that’s nothing new when it comes to being Max Verstappen’s teammate.

Alex Albon has previously spoken about the lengths he’s gone to when it comes to adapting to fighting the three-time world champion.

The 28-year-old could already be preparing for that battle again, with one report suggesting he’s already been offered a deal to join Red Bull once his Williams contract ends.

That would give Sergio Perez one more year to prove he deserves another seat on the grid away from the Austrian outfit.

He’s a fantastic driver for a midfield team but is never going to be a title challenger despite being in the quickest car on the grid.