With Formula 1 heading into the mandatory summer shutdown the main question on the minds of most observers was this: Would Red Bull stick by Sergio Pérez? A difficult run of form for the Mexican driver — wherein Pérez banked just 28 points over the eight recent race weekends — opened the door to a challenge at the front of the field in the F1 Constuctors’ Championship, leading to debates over his future.
Speaking after the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday Pérez indicated that he was done talking about his future and that he remained focused on helping the team achieve their goals when the season resumes.
It seems Red Bull is of a similar mind.
According to multiple reports the team is sticking by Pérez for the rest of this season, and not making any changes to their driver lineup following the summer shutdown. Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf was the first to report this news, followed shortly after that by Chris Medland.
According to Van Haren, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner addressed team members at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory on Monday, and said this about Pérez: “‘Checo remains a Red Bull Racing driver, despite all the speculation of recent times. We look forward to seeing him perform on circuits where he has done well before, after the summer break’ Horner said in front of hundreds of employees at the Red Bull factory.”
As noted by Medland, there was serious consideration of a change at Red Bull, but the team is sticking by Pérez despite that rampant speculation.
Time will tell if it was the right decision.
