Perez would be an F1 asset if he leaves Red Bull, but what are his options?

Sergio Perez‘s stint at Red Bull, according to popular belief, hinges upon his performances in the next two races on the Formula 1 calendar: the Hungarian and Belgian grands prix.

If Perez performs, quelling his dismal run of 15 points from the last six races, he saves Red Bull’s management a considerable headache. This is the team’s preferred option, as it gives the Mexican driver a positive mental outlook to enter the summer break with, and saves the outfit from having to bed in a new driver.

In the event his poor form continues, then Red Bull has a choice to make, one being the difficult call to dispose of his services and bring someone else in. For 2024, that likely means promoting one of the RB drivers or giving Liam Lawson a whirl now that he’s had RB20 experience in a test.

For 2025, finding a replacement is a somewhat easier task, as high-calibre drivers remain on the market. If Perez was to be cut loose, Carlos Sainz headlines the possible replacements, but the Spaniard’s services cannot be called upon until 2025.

But we’ve been through all this before. We’ve dissected the options that Red Bull has for this year and next, but not really the implications for Perez himself.

Ultimately, Perez should still have a future in F1. Although his stock may have been dented by a bruising year at Red Bull, he has enough credit in the bank to command a drive elsewhere should he wish to stay in the championship. Before him, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon had similarly tormented spells at Red Bull, but nonetheless found homes outside of the energy drink manufacturer’s stable.

Perez also has the pedigree in his pre-Red Bull career to lean on. Let’s not forget his starring turns for Sauber and Force India/Racing Point, where he could be relied to pounce on atypical conditions and situations to capture occasional podium finishes against better machinery on the grid.

In those days, he was bestowed with the reputation of a ‘tyre whisperer’, an accolade which has rather faded versus Max Verstappen in frontrunning machinery. Regardless, it’s a skill he retains to some degree and one which would be more of an asset to teams likely to attempt wilder strategies to break into the points.

On a point-to-point race, Perez was always going to struggle against Verstappen; the Dutchman is the best…