Christian Horner doesn’t think F1 driver Helmut Marko loves could ‘survive’ against Max Verstappen

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Christian Horner may soon make a driver change at Red Bull as Sergio Perez continues to struggle. It emerged over the British Grand Prix weekend that Perez is at risk of losing his seat.

It was only last month that the former McLaren driver signed a new two-year contract. However, there are two clauses that allow the world champions to escape that deal.

They can part company with Perez if he falls more than 100 points or five places behind Max Verstappen. As it stands, he ranks sixth, with Verstappen leading the way and 137 clear.

Things could be about to get worse, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton now on the verge of overtaking him after Mercedes’ recent improvement. It’s conceivable that Perez could fall to eighth after the Hungarian GP.

The Mexican has scored just 15 points across the last six races, including a Sprint weekend in Austria. He had hoped to quiet the noise around his future with a strong performance at Silverstone, but it proved to be a miserable weekend.

Perez spun into the gravel during Q1 on Saturday and beached his car. He started the race from the pitlane, but an ill-judged gamble on the intermediate tyres ruined any hope of scoring points.

Christian Horner doesn’t see Yuki Tsunoda as viable Sergio Perez replacement

Helmut Marko has said that Red Bull will review the situation during the summer break. The team will need a compelling plan-b lined up if they’re to pull the trigger.

On paper, Yuki Tsunoda is the standout option in their driver pool. He’s outscored eight-time race-winner Daniel Ricciardo by 20 points to 11 at junior team RB this season.

Tsunoda has also been formidable over one lap, thrashing Ricciardo 9-3 in qualifying up to this point. However, Horner doesn’t see him as a viable replacement.

ESPN journalist Nate Saunders relays concerns that he doesn’t have the ‘temperament to survive vs Max [Verstappen]’. That could see the team turn instead to reserve driver Liam Lawson despite his relative lack of experience.

Lawson’s performance in a test session at Silverstone this week could be key. Red Bull have recently taken up the option to extend Tsunoda’s deal by a further year, so he won’t be able to leave even if he’s snubbed.

What Helmut Marko thinks of ‘top’ driver Tsunoda

Red Bull’s leadership will need to come to a consensus on the best course of action for Perez. But Jos Verstappen warned in May that they were at risk of ‘falling apart’, pointing to divisions within their ranks.

This, then, could be another source of disagreement. Executive director Marko appears to be a big fan of Tsunoda, regarding him as a ‘top driver’ who is now ‘consistently fast’ and in control of his ’emotions’.

As the head of the driver academy, Marko may be of a mind to give him a chance. But for the most part, the management at Red Bull are unsure whether Tsunoda could cope under pressure.

In the end, Perez may be saved by the inadequacy of the alternatives. Ricciardo hasn’t been able to make his case, Lawson has only driven in five races and they clearly don’t believe Tsunoda has the fortitude required.