What Christian Horner found particularly worrying about Sergio Perez’s Mexico City Grand Prix Q1 exit

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Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez has not had the return to his home country that he would have liked with his Formula 1 future under increasing pressure.

Sergio Perez headed into qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix knowing that he needed to produce his best qualifying lap since he was on the front row of the grid at Spa.

Red Bull are trying to chase down the increasing gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship while also fending off a resurgent Ferrari.

They need both drivers to be at the top of their game to achieve that with Max Verstappen’s significant lead in the driver’s standings highlighting exactly where the problem lies.

Qualifying was always going to be a tight affair in Mexico with the lap being one of the shortest on the calendar.

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The track was also developing rapidly throughout the first session, meaning every driver’s last run was going to be significant.

That’s where Perez once again came unstuck, crashing out in Q1 for the fifth time this season, while his teammate prepares to line up on the front row of the grid alongside Carlos Sainz.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner spoke to Karun Chandhok on Sky Sports F1 after the session and wasn’t pleased with the Mexican driver.

He explained what was particularly worrying about the 35-year-old’s display compared to his teammate.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner worried about Sergio Perez after Mexican Grand Prix qualifying

Perez had a very tough first qualifying session, setting three flying laps that never looked quick enough to help him an unremarkable Q1 exit.

In contrast, Piastri would have made it comfortably through to Q2 had he not run wide at turn 12 and straddled the curb which ended up costing him a second.

Horner was asked about Perez’s struggles in qualifying and said: “I mean we need to look into it, but the gap between the two cars is significant.

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“So, obviously massively disappointing for him in front of his home crowd but I’m sure he’ll give it everything he’s got tomorrow.

“But a lot of work to do.”

Martin Brundle warns Red Bull about Sergio Perez contract issue

Red Bull know exactly where they stand with every driver on their roster and Perez will be well aware of how precarious his position in F1 currently is.

Clauses in Perez’s contract mean Red Bull could drop him at the end of the year if they want to.

Both RB drivers – Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson – are currently auditioning for his seat as they could easily be promoted into the Mexican’s seat next season.

However, Tsunoda didn’t do himself any favours by crashing in Q2 after looking rapid through every practice session.

Martin Brundle has warned Red Bull about a contract problem they could face with Perez that might make letting him go more difficult.

It might end up being an expensive decision for Red Bull if they feel they need to replace Perez.

However, the money he may cost the team if they fail to win or even finish second in the Constructors’ Championship might be all the justification Red Bull need to part ways with Perez at the end of the year.