The brutal joke F1 press conference host made at Sergio Perez’s expense before Mexico City Grand Prix

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Sergio Perez is looking to end his run of races without a podium at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend. A big result could help him keep his seat amid intense pressure from Liam Lawson.

Perez hasn’t finished in the top three since the Chinese Grand Prix way back in April. In the 14 races since, he’s only come home in the top five once, and the top six twice.

But Red Bull appear to have made a step forward with their car. After both drivers struggled with handling issues either side of the summer break, engineers discovered the route cause.

They attempted to address it with an upgrade package at the US Grand Prix, helping Max Verstappen win the Sprint – his first victory of any description since the Spanish GP. He could only manage third in the main race but can be confident of winning again before the season is out.

There are no more excuses for Perez as he fights to save his drive. He was on course to finish on the podium in Azerbaijan last month before tangling with Carlos Sainz on the penultimate lap.

He scored a podium on his first two visits to Mexico as a Red Bull driver. That sparked memorable scenes of celebration in the famous stadium section.

Tom Clarkson jokes about Sergio Perez’s turn one crash at Mexican Grand Prix

Perez started last year’s race in fifth but made an excellent start, challenging Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for the lead on the outside as they approached turn one. But somewhat predictably, he ran out of space.

The six-time race-winner tried to execute a move around the outside but ended up colliding with Leclerc and vaulting upwards. The impact broke his suspension, which meant he couldn’t continue.

Perez appeared in the press conference on Thursday ahead of his home race. And host Tom Clarkson made a surprisingly brutal reference to that retirement.

“Alright, well, best of luck this weekend,” Clarkson said before he started questioning Nico Hulkenberg. “Get further than Turn 1 this year!”

Red Bull have been ‘sniffing around’ for a driver who could solve Sergio Perez problem

Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have already won their home Grands Prix in 2024, but Perez in particular may benefit from the support of his home crowd. He’s faced more criticism than any other driver this year – justifiably given his results.

The atmosphere this weekend should be refreshing. Perez even has his own chant among the Mexican fans, who know this may be his final visit to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as an F1 driver.

Red Bull have been ‘sniffing around’ Franco Colapinto, who could slot in at RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda if Lawson takes Perez’s drive. There doesn’t seem to be any prospect of the 34-year-old dropping down to the junior team as Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly did in the past.

Sauber were linked with Perez earlier in the year, but that has now gone quiet. He started his career with the Swiss team but Audi are taking over ahead of the 2026 season.