Damon Hill thinks Max Verstappen is putting the pressure on Red Bull to sign Sergio Perez replacement

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When Formula 1 left the Belgian Grand Prix for the summer break, questions over Sergio Perez’s future remained amid poor results.

Crunch talks took place between senior members of the Red Bull team the following Monday to decide Perez’s fate, with team principal Christian Horner later telling team members that there would be no changes to their driver lineup for the rest of the season.

It comes amid a precarious time for Sergio Perez, as Red Bull would be able to activate a break clause in his new contract because he has fallen more than 100 points behind Max Verstappen (to 146 points) heading into the summer break.

Perez could still be at risk again after the Singapore GP if he doesn’t improve, but it appears Verstappen is already piling the pressure on Red Bull bosses to make a change according to Damon Hill when speaking on the F1 Nation podcast.

Max Verstappen piling on pressure to sign Sergio Perez

Verstappen was seen leaving the Belgian GP circuit with Daniel Ricciardo in a helicopter, over speculation that the Australian might be in line to replace the Mexican for the rest of the season.

Ricciardo was said to be in contention for the seat alongside Liam Lawson, although there was some friction between Horner and team advisor Helmut Marko over who would be the best fit.

The Verstappen camp was reportedly told Perez would be ‘gone’ after the race in Belgium, but Hill believes they will still likely influence any decision.

“When you see pictures of Max leaving the circuit in the helicopter with Daniel Ricciardo and they’re all smiles, you get the feeling that Max would be quite happy with Ricciardo as a teammate.

“If his power is such in that team where he can almost influence that decision, then I do think the pressure is on to get Ricciardo in there. They’ve given him a second lease of life by encouraging him, and his performances have been getting stronger, there’s no question about it.”

Could Sergio Perez lose his seat?

Perez is working under the impression that Red Bull has secured his future for the 2025 season, with an option for 2026 depending on his performances.

Red Bull has previously shown that contract situations are fluid in F1 having reassured Pierre Gasly in 2019 that he would keep his seat before deciding to swap him for Alex Albon.

External forces also played a part in Perez’s future with Liberty Media reportedly having intervened to help Perez amid concerns over the impact it could have on October’s Mexican GP, while billionaire Mexican businessman Carlos Slim has also helped.

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

Verstappen also appeared to defend Perez during his post-race media duties in Belgium, attributing his poor progress in the race to Red Bull’s significant tyre degradation.

Red Bull engineers recently confirmed a theory as to why he might be ‘struggling a lot more’ this season compared to Verstappen, while the team is said to be making changes to its upgrade pattern to help Perez for the rest of the season.