Sergio Perez gets Red Bull 'ultimatum' as Daniel Ricciardo waits in the wings

16 October 2023 , 18:00

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Sergio Perez gets Red Bull 'ultimatum' as Daniel Ricciardo waits in the wings

Sergio Perez has just five races to save his Red Bull career after reportedly being handed an ultimatum by Christian Horner.

The Mexican is currently contracted with the Constructors' champions until the end of the 2024 season, but could be sensationally axed by the end of the year after failing to seriously challenge teammate Max Verstappen for the title. That's despite the 33-year-old recording early season victories in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, and vowing to target a maiden championship.

However, since then Perez has managed just five podium finishes, and has taken just a single point from recent races in Japan and Qatar. It's left him a huge 109 points off Verstappen in the drivers' standings, already crowned champion for the third successive campaign, and fighting to hold off Lewis Hamilton for the runners-up spot.

And with reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo on the books, his form has now been deemed unacceptable by Horner and co. Indeed, Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte are reporting Perez has been set stringent performance levels for the remaining races.

He must record a top-two finish in all of the five events left. That includes his home Grand Prix, US races in Austin and Las Vegas, Brazil, and the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Pierre Gasly was allowed to leave AlphaTauri due to worries over his F1 future

Failure to meet expectations could open the door for a return to the grid full-time for Ricciardo, who came on board at Red Bull for 2023 as a reserve driver. He's currently at their sister team Scuderia AlphaTauri, although the Australian is sidelined with a broken hand.

Sergio Perez's poor F1 form continued in Qatar (Getty Images)

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But the F1 veteran isn't the only replacement being considered. Two more AlphaTauri drivers, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, are also under consideration with Lawson finishing ninth in just his third race at Singapore last month.

The pressure on Perez has undoubtedly been exacerbated by his strained relationship with his Dutch partner, which reached breaking point at the race in Sao Paulo in 2022. Despite having already sealed the title, Verstappen refused team orders to give up a place to Perez and boost his chances of finishing second overall.

The animosity seemingly spilled into this year. After taking the chequered flag in Saudi, Verstappen's dad Jos was seen blanking the driver as he celebrated with team members.

Fraser Watson