Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has confirmed that Sergio Perez's seat at the team is secure for the final races of 2024, dismissing speculation that the Brazilian Grand Prix could be Perez's last appearance with the team this season.
However, while Perez has a contract for 2025, Marko admits his place is far from certain beyond Abu Dhabi.
"We are currently evaluating everything," Marko told Kleine Zeitung, adding, "but decisions will only be made after Abu Dhabi."
According to Marko, Perez's recent performance leaves obvious questions about his continued role, particularly given the points gap between him and teammate Max Verstappen. "The drop in the constructors' championship to third place, the 200 points behind Max Verstappen, all of that speaks volumes," he said, suggesting that Red Bull's decline in the standings could impact Perez's future.
With Ferrari now consistently outperforming them, Marko conceded, "The constructors' title is completely unrealistic now. At the moment, Ferrari has the fastest car and two strong drivers."
Marko also pointed out that Perez's current form has financial implications for Red Bull, as the difference in prize money between finishing first and third in the constructors' standings is significant. "The difference between first and third place is 17 million euros," he revealed, noting that the standings impact employee bonuses.
"That is a serious financial hit, especially for the employees, as their bonus is based on the constructors' championship."
Recently, Perez has voiced concerns about issues with his Red Bull car, including challenges with braking and differences with the specification of Verstappen's sister car. Marko responded, "We have investigated everything because he said there are problems with the brakes and the chassis. I think he is even getting a new chassis now to calm him down."
As Red Bull considers future driver options, Liam Lawson has been given a seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda at the junior team RB, while 20-year-old Isack Hadjar also appears a contender for RB. Marko noted, "The testing in Abu Dhabi will be crucial for his (Hadjar's) future. A number of drivers will be there as well who could be considered for next year."
When asked about Hadjar's readiness for Formula 1, Marko was confident, saying, "Yes, absolutely. He was faster than Franco Colapinto in all the junior categories."
