Sergio Perez: Pink Bull recommend Mexican set for exit at finish of 2024 F1 season after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Pink Bull have hinted Sergio Perez is about to lose his seat after this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Perez has been underneath strain for many of this season after scoring simply 152 of Pink Bull’s 581 factors and barely getting close to team-mate Max Verstappen.

The final weekend in Qatar noticed him eradicated within the first a part of Dash Qualifying and he spun in the principle race on a Security Automobile restart, overheating his clutch within the course of which brought about him to retire.

“Checo has been a wonderful driver for us. Certainly in 2021, 2022, 2023, he contributed to Max’s championship in 2021 and the constructors’ in 2022 and 2023,” Horner informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“Most of all, he is an amazing man. He isn’t having fun with the state of affairs he is in for the time being. He is aware of the strain of this enterprise.

“We’re going to give him all of the help we are able to all the way in which to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi. What he decides to do, that shall be his determination on the finish of the day.

“He’s old enough and wise enough to come to his own conclusions. There’s still a race to go.”

Horner later reiterated to the written media: “Checo’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is. Let’s see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”

Perez’s begin to the season, which featured 4 podiums in 5 races, quickly earned him a two-year contract extension in June till the top of 2026 season however, with Pink Bull’s bosses not denying that his new time period comprises efficiency clauses.

After Pink Bull selected to stay with him past the summer time break, Perez produced his finest kind for months at September’s Azerbaijan GP however completed with out something to indicate for it after a last-lap collision with Carlos Sainz.

Apart from Baku, Perez has largely struggled and his lack of factors has meant Pink Bull are more likely to end third within the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.

“There is a meeting Monday after Abu Dhabi. All the major people are there, all of the shareholders, and there a decision will be done,” Pink Bull adviser Helmut Marko informed Viaplay.

“We always, or most of the time, brought our own drivers through the Red Bull programme and I think it’s a philosophical decision – do we stick to that? And what I got from the shareholders is it will be in this direction.”

Button: Tsunoda deserves probability at Pink Bull

RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are the 2 main candidates to switch Perez at Pink Bull for 2025.

Tsunoda will drive the principle Pink Bull automobile for the primary time in his profession on the post-season Abu Dhabi Check subsequent Tuesday.

2009 F1 world champion and Sky Sports activities F1‘s Jenson Button believes Tsunoda ought to be Verstappen’s subsequent team-mate.

“I personally think yes,” stated Button when requested if Tsunoda deserves an opportunity at Pink Bull.

“They keep throwing team-mates at him and he keeps kicking them away. He’s a very different Yuki to last year. He’s not as fiery as he was and he’s getting the results.

“I believe he is the plug and play for that place. If it was me, I am undecided I might need to step within the Pink Bull alongside Max Verstappen, that is the hardest drive within the pit lane, but when he is up for it, nice.

“Lawson, for me, needs to improve still and needs to show he can put in a good result.”

Tsunoda has received the higher of Lawson of their 5 occasions as team-mates at RB, following Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in September.

Sky Sports activities F1‘s Anthony Davidson additionally feels Tsunoda, who signed a contract in June to remain at RB in 2025, ought to be promoted to Pink Bull.

“From a drivers’ point of view at RB they must be loving this situation where they see in the A team some vulnerability with Sergio Perez and they sniff that chance,” stated Davidson.

“So they are going to be driving flat out to try and create that opportunity for themselves and you can see how feisty the drivers are.

“Helmut Marko is the one who has been accountable for the younger driver programme at Pink Bull. I personally consider Yuki exhibits how lengthy it takes to ascertain your self in F1. It is a harsh setting to return into.

“RB is a good environment to hone your skills and I believe Yuki is getting there more and more, becoming more consistent.”

Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Thursday December 5
11am: Drivers’ Press Convention

Friday December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy Follow One
7am: F2 Follow
9am: Abu Dhabi GP Follow One (session begins at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP Follow Two (session begins at 1pm)*
2.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
3.15pm: The F1 Present*

Saturday December 7
10.15am: Abu Dhabi GP Follow Three (session begins at 10.30am)
12.10pm: F2 Dash Race
1.15pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: ABU DHABI GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: F1 Academy: Race One
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book

Sunday December 8
7.20am: F1 Academy Race Two
9.20am: F2 Function Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
1pm: The ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book

*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion

Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 System 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – dwell this coming week on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 1pm. Get Sky Sports activities F1 or stream with NOW