Nico Rosberg has seen something ‘very strange’ from Sergio Perez at Red Bull

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Sergio Perez arrived at the Singapore Grand Prix looking to build on perhaps his best showing of the season in Azerbaijan. Instead, he reverted to the kind of form he was displaying before the summer break.

Perez outqualified his world champion teammate Max Verstappen for the first time all season – and the first time since Miami 2023 – in Baku. He stayed with the leading duo of Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc during the race and looked to be on course for a first podium since April’s Chinese GP.

But as he tried to snatch second from Leclerc on the closing lap, he tangled with the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. Both drivers crashed out of the race, leaving Perez empty-handed.

He still seemed to take confidence, however, from a re-energised display. Red Bull engineers apologised to Perez before Singapore, recognising that inherent handling issues had played a bigger part in his struggles than they had acknowledged.

The Milton Keynes outfit were apprehensive heading to Marina Bay, the only track where they’d failed to win or even finish on the podium in 2023. Those fears seemed justified when both drivers struggled mightily on Friday.

But while the changes overnight enabled Verstappen to rally – he bagged P2 in both qualifying and the race – Perez continued to toil. After a run of four straight Q3 appearances, his longest since the spring, he could only manage 13th on the grid.

Nico Rosberg can’t understand Sergio Perez’s loss of form

On a track where overtaking is difficult, Perez made little progress. He brought home just one point, finishing between Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and the Williams of Franco Colapinto.

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg sounded confused about Perez. He pointed out that, after last year’s Azerbaijan GP, he was just six points behind Verstappen in the standings (93 vs 87).

Rosberg finds it ‘strange’ that Perez can produce flashes of brilliance and then ‘drop so far back’. And he fears for his future as a result.

The imminent arrival of Liam Lawson in place of Daniel Ricciardo at RB should serve as a warning, he says. If Lawson drives at an ‘amazing’ level, he’ll force his way into contention to partner Verstappen in 2025.

Rosberg said: “It’s so strange, though, with Perez, because we all know he’s a good driver and he at times was actually challenging Max for the World Championship in small, small segments like even last year. And now he’s just somehow dropped so far back. 

“It’s very, very strange. They’re giving him a chance now until the end of the year, obviously. And I think they still need to review it again then for next year.

“And that’s another reason why these rumours are coming that they want to try Lawson out because Lawson, if he does amazingly well for these last six races, then certainly he would be considered for the main for the main Red Bull seat for next year.”

Martin Brundle warns of a ‘real problem’ with Sergio Perez

In a sense, Ricciardo’s exit may feel like a victory for Perez. There’s no ill will between the pair, but they were competing for a seat.

Ricciardo didn’t do enough to show that he’d be an upgrade. But there’s no indication that Red Bull have made a final decision just yet.

Indeed, former Red Bull driver David Coulthard is worried about Perez. He’s concerned he could be the next to lose his seat.

If Christian Horner opts to stick with his current duo, then many will see it as conceding next year’s constructors’ title based on his 2024 displays. Martin Brundle says Perez is a ‘real problem’ as he faces the prospect of dropping 200 points behind his teammate at the United States GP.