MEXICO CITY (AP) — By his own assessment, this Formula 1 season has been a massive disappointment for Sergio Perez. But if there's one place for him to turn it around, it would be at his home race, the Mexico City Grand Prix, which he considers the best event on the F1 circuit. “I know I’ve had a terrible season, a very difficult one,” Perez said Thursday.
“If I can get a strong result, it can change my season massively.” Change it enough to save his job at Red Bull? That remains to be seen. Sure, Perez signed a two-year contract extension in June to remain with Red Bull through 2026.
But even so, few believe he's got a firm hold on his seat and could be replaced at the whim of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Red Bull has admitted the new contract contains performance clauses, and Marko has constantly kept Perez in the rumor mill by openly praising younger drivers. His most recent flattery was for McLaren rising star Oscar Piastri, who quickly dismissed Marko on Thursday: “It wouldn't be a week in F1 without some comments from Helmut.
” Yuki Tsunoda acknowledged Thursday he's still hoping for a promotion to Red Bull from sister team RB, and Liam Lawson, who officially replaced Daniel Ricciardo at RB last week, is trying to show he deserves a full-time seat. Lawson was ninth last week in Austin, Texas . Perez hasn't helped his case with his own performance.
He's winless for the first time since joining Red Bull in 2021, has only four podium finishes this year and.
