12 October 2023, 08:00
PH
Fernando Alonso on stage in Canada | photo: Aston Martin
They are increasingly dissatisfied with the performances of Sergio Pérez at Red Bull. But who could replace him? Expert advisor Helmut Marko has now surprisingly mentioned Aston Martin’s star, two-time champion Fernando Alonso.
The Mexican pilot has been falling behind team-mate Max Verstappen more and more and has made mistake after mistake during the race weekends. Last time in Qatar, he received three penalties for going off the track and won just one point for the team for tenth place, while Max won comfortably again with the same car.
But Pérez still has a valid contract with Red Bull, which also includes several sponsors and will expire at the end of next season. So they can’t just throw him out. “It’s happening again, but Pérez has a valid contract and we want to respect that. We’re doing everything possible to get him back.” confirms Marko.
At the same time, the team management does not hide its disappointment with his performances: “The other teams work as a pair. You can observe that Mercedes or Ferrari have a pair of drivers between whom it is very close. Oscar [Piastri] he’s doing a great job as a rookie, with Lando [Norrisem] that is very tight. We used to have one too. But as the season went on, things began to diverge. We really need Checo to get back into it.” comments Horner.
Pérez seems to have it all figured out at Red Bull photo: Pirelli
What with this? “In short, we have no alternatives. Otherwise he would have a problem,” Helmut Marko’s message to the Mexican rider. Juki Cunoda has been linked more with Aston Martin for Honda in the future, while Liam Lawson is still too inexperienced to sit alongside three-time champion Verstappen. Daniel Ricciardo would also be considered, but he injured his wrist and it is a question of what form he will be in when he returns.
“At the moment I see only one person who could come close to Max – Fernando Alonso,” openly states the expert advisor of Red Bull, who secured another championship ahead of schedule this year. Will he really try to overtake him or will he rather give Ricciardo a chance?
Although Pérez is still second in the championship, it is a question whether he will maintain his position among the drivers despite the best technique. Ambitious Verstappen, eager to win everything possible, will not drive for him. “No. Max won’t help him,” confirms Marko.
