Ad-free F1 pod: Red Bull dump Perez - all you need to know
Added 2024-12-18 22:17:16 +0000 UTCEdd Straw is joined by Scott Mitchell-Malm and special guest Diego Mejia from Fox Sports Mexico and The Race en Español to discuss Red Bull confirming it is parting ways with Sergio Perez for 2025.
They explain why it has taken so long for this announcement to be made, given it has been expected for some time, why the partnership hasn't worked out, and whether this spells the end of Perez's F1 career.
They also discuss who is likely to replace Perez, why that announcement hasn't been made at the same time, and whether Red Bull will end up with the team-mate they need for Max Verstappen.
And finally, Diego gives us the Mexican perspective on Perez splitting with Red Bull - including the impact the decision could have on the Mexican Grand Prix.
Comments
You have to question Marko in all this as he’s been in charge of the driver programme for so long, he doesn’t seem to get a lot of specific criticism for this, but really the last shrewd move he made was grabbing Verstappen when he became available in 2015. Has his overly cut-throat approach, combined with other driver programmes becoming more established and attractive, meant that the Red Bull programme has effectively become for the leftover talent that Mercedes/Ferrari et al don’t want?
Richard Snape
2024-12-27 09:27:49 +0000 UTC30 minutes in and commenting to say, I believe you guys are asking the wrong question. It's not about who's the best driver, it's who is the right driver to fall in line. Perez fell in line right away much like Bottas did. I believe they are worried that Tsunoda will challenge max and they will have to run into team orders issues. I don't believe Lawson beats Max into turn 1 and I believe Tsunoda does, that's why they don't want him there. Would you take a 2016 Rosburg Hamilton lineup in this era or would you take a 2019 Bottas Hamilton lineup?
Ethan Fish
2024-12-20 16:14:27 +0000 UTCMy understanding of being paid not to race (Prost, Kimi, Ricciardo etc) is that you're expected not to race for the duration of the contract. Does this mean Checo won't return until at least 2027, when he'll be 37?
Simon Emms
2024-12-19 19:01:32 +0000 UTCPerez was always overrated. In the midfield we tend to only remember the good races and forget the times they underperform. That 2020 Racing point was probably 3rd fastest car and he and stroll didn’t deliver enough. Perez had few good races but too many times he didn’t even make it to Q3
Nevin Knowles
2024-12-19 10:08:39 +0000 UTCThis conversation has made me wonder, if Red Bull doesn’t have a driver pool stacked with talent - is Helmut Marko effectively doing his job?
Rachael Wright
2024-12-19 07:09:34 +0000 UTC
