Sergio Perez stumbles again: Red Bull reflections ongoing, decision date set – Helmut Marko. Sergio Perez sets a new negative record in Las Vegas and fuels Helmut Marko's anger.

It’s one vote of no confidence after another: Helmut Marko and Red Bull no longer trust Checo Perez, now a regular in Q1 eliminations. After the Las Vegas qualifying session, the Austrian consultant for the Milton Keynes team took the opportunity to announce that reflections are underway.

Checo Perez doesn’t want to keep his seat at Red Bull in 2025. The Mexican driver has become a regular at the back of the grid: this is not benefiting his team, which now – as admitted by Helmut Marko – is forced to look around.

The Red Bull consultant is no stranger to making unflattering remarks about the 34-year-old from Guadalajara. The most recent occasion was during the Las Vegas free practice on Friday, when Marko placed the blame for Red Bull’s Constructors’ failure squarely on the Mexican.

Sergio Perez out again in Q1: Helmut Marko’s analysis
In the Nevada qualifying, Sergio Perez did little to shake off the criticism and rumors. The former Racing Point driver couldn’t find pace, confidence, or performance: at the Q1 checkered flag, Checo was in sixteenth place, the first to be eliminated. This marks the sixth time this season. “He simply wasn’t fast enough,” Helmut Marko admits to Viaplay microphones after the session.

The Austrian tries to consider some team responsibilities but without much conviction: “Maybe we should have used two sets of tires. That would have certainly helped him make it through, but we thought he could do it anyway. Now he’s sixteenth.” – the Red Bull advisor pointed out.

So many doubts, Helmut Marko: “Decision on Perez after Abu Dhabi”
At the end of the interview, Helmut Marko clarifies Checo Perez’s shaky position at Red Bull. Despite the two-year contract signed in June, the 1990-born driver seems increasingly distant from Milton Keynes in 2025. The former driver from Graz admits the ongoing reflections within the team, which will be discussed in detail after the final race of the year.

“After Abu Dhabi, we will analyze all the possibilities, and then we will make a decision,” Helmut Marko explains. “I’m not saying there’s a risk. I’m just saying we will analyze all possibilities and then make our choice,” he concludes.