Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, has confirmed that Sergio Perez will remain with the team for the rest of the season, following intense discussions on Monday. The announcement comes after speculation regarding Perez’s future, fueled by comments from Red Bull’s motorsport adviser, Helmut Marko, who criticized the Mexican driver’s performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, stating that he “completely collapsed.”

Despite these critiques, Horner has decided to maintain the current driver lineup, ensuring Perez continues as Max Verstappen’s teammate as Formula 1 resumes after the summer break. The next race, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, is scheduled for August 23-25 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.

The decision to retain Perez highlights the team’s strategic approach towards stability and continuity as they head into the latter half of the season. Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021, has played a crucial role in supporting Verstappen, contributing to the team’s constructors’ championship aspirations. His experience and skill have been pivotal, despite the recent performance dip highlighted by Marko.

Craig Slater from Sky Sports F1 discussed how Red Bull’s decision regarding Perez is intertwined with Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams in 2025. Sainz’s departure from Ferrari and subsequent agreement with Williams has created a ripple effect in the driver market, indirectly influencing Red Bull’s choice to stick with Perez. Maintaining Perez provides Red Bull with a known quantity, avoiding further disruption and speculation that could arise from mid-season driver changes.

Red Bull’s decision underscores their confidence in Perez’s ability to rebound and perform consistently alongside Verstappen. As the team gears up for the Dutch Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Perez to see how he responds to this vote of confidence and whether he can deliver the performances needed to support Red Bull’s championship ambitions.

Horner’s announcement has put to rest the rumors of a potential driver switch, allowing the team to focus on the upcoming races. The continuity of having Perez alongside Verstappen is expected to bring a sense of stability and cohesion to the team as they navigate the challenges of the remaining season.