Struggling F1 team may reject chance to sign Sergio Perez if he loses Red Bull seat

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Sergio Perez will continue to fight for his Red Bull future when the Formula 1 season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix. The 34-year-old just about survived beyond the summer break.

Red Bull bosses met to decide whether Perez should keep his seat after a wretched run of form that has seen him pick up 28 points in eight weekends. Max Verstappen was reportedly told he’d have a new teammate, but they changed their minds.

Christian Horner has stuck by Perez in the hope that he improves in the coming races. He’s previously won in Azerbaijan (twice) and Singapore, which are both scheduled for next month.

But they’re putting all the onus on the driver. Red Bull could also make drastic changes to Perez’s car, potentially reverting to an earlier spec if it makes him more comfortable behind the wheel.

Red Bull could axe Perez post-Singapore if his pre-break form continues. Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson would be the contenders for the seat.

There’s a school of thought that commercial rights holders Liberty Media want Perez on the grid for the Mexican GP in October. But even if he makes it that far, Will Buxton thinks Red Bull could make a change for the last three races.

Sauber/Audi ‘very unlikely’ to sign Sergio Perez if he leaves Red Bull

Perez and his camp will likely be making contingency plans in case he does lose his Red Bull seat. The only realistic external option is Sauber/Audi.

Mercedes are almost certain to sign Kimi Antonelli, while Martin Brundle believes Jack Doohan is in pole position for Alpine. Perez started his F1 career at Sauber and performed so well that he earned a McLaren drive after just two years.

However, according to Racing News 365 NL, it’s ‘very unlikely’ that they’ll re-sign him. Ahead of their F1 entry in 2026, Audi want a ‘young talent’ to partner the vastly experienced Nico Hulkenberg.

As such, the chance of Perez continuing his F1 career outside Red Bull is ‘small’. He may have to combine a reserve driver role with participation in a different series.

The two Red Bull line-ups Helmut Marko would choose if he was in charge

Perez used to be one of the highest-rated drivers in F1’s midfield. Red Bull signed him in the first place because he was consistently extracting the maximum from his Force India/Racing Point car.

The fact that Sauber, who haven’t scored a single point so far this year, aren’t interested shows how far his stock has fallen at Red Bull this season. Most of the grid would be desperate to drive a car as good as the RB20 but Verstappen’s last three teammates have all suffered major reputational damage.

If it had been up to executive director Helmut Marko, Perez would have already lost his seat. Marko would field Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, with Lawson and Isack Hadjar at RB.

As it is, the enduring support of Horner, and potentially external influences, have kept the Mexican in the car. He knows he must start delivering not just to keep his drive, but also his place on the F1 grid.