Hours After Marko Reveals Plans to Poach Norris, Perez Reacts to Red Bull Exit Rumors With Alternate Plan

A flurry of speculations and rumors, which have become as frequent as pit stops in the sport, has marked the 2023 Formula 1 season. Among the teams at the center of these discussions, McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes have featured prominently. While the Mercedes-related speculations have somewhat subsided, the narratives surrounding Red Bull and McLaren continue to captivate the attention of fans and pundits alike. In the Red Bull camp, Dr. Helmut Marko‘s determined pursuit of Lando Norris has been a recurring theme. Marko’s relentless efforts to bring Norris into the Red Bull Racing fold have been met with numerous setbacks.

Frustrated by these failed attempts, Marko has taken a bold step by publicly downplaying the role of Sergio Perez and raising questions about his focus and performance. Feeling disheartened, the Mexican driver has opted to respond by seeking alternative options.

How did Sergio Perez react to Lando Norris rumors?

Commencing on an astonishing note with a fresh perspective, Sergio Perez initially closely trailed his teammate by just one point. However, plagued by inconsistency and a series of unfortunate events, the Mexican driver endured a challenging period, facing five consecutive failures to reach Q3. Despite the positive vibes from team leaders, Perez’s relief was short-lived, as Red Bull’s outspoken figurehead, Helmut Marko, dropped a hint about possibly replacing him with McLaren sensation Lando Norris when his contract expires in 2024.

In an intriguing way, Marko not only downplayed Sergio Perez’s significance but also ventured into poaching territory, setting his sights on the McLaren driver. Speaking candidly to Servus TV, Marko laid out his vision for the 2025 lineup. He said “Perez is not consistent. He is not always focused. But he has a contract until 2024 and Lando Norris has a contract until 2025. Unfortunate that it’s for so long because he would he would be one of the candidates [to replace Checo].”

While Marko’s comments regarding Norris’s potential as a top driver are difficult to ignore, given Norris’s impressive eight podium finishes in a midfield team, and his significant age advantage over Perez, makes him an obvious choice for any leading team. However, with this situation, a question pops up: How did Perez react to these swirling speculations?

As Max Verstappen maximizes the Red Bull Rocketship, there’s a hint of pain in Sergio Perez’s heart. He acknowledges Dutchman’s exceptional performance and concedes that he’s “not” matching that level. In light of this, the Mexican driver knows completely that the axe is hanging over his neck, which has compelled him to be open to exploring alternative opportunities. In an interview with Spain’s DAZN and quoted by F1Maximaal, Perez said, “With the season we’ve had, it’s important that I’m in an environment in the next few races where I feel I can contribute something.” In the end, he said, “If that place is not here in 2024, then we have to look for alternatives.” [Translated Via Google]

READ MORE: “It’s Not About Oscar”: Andrea Stella Cold Shoulders Piastri After Battle With Norris Left McLaren Exposed 

Despite Sergio Perez’s crucial role in Max Verstappen’s championship wins, there are discussions about replacing him. Is this decision solely performance-related, or are there other undisclosed factors at play?

Helmut Marko boldly emphasizes the genuine disparity that sets Lando Norris apart from Sergio Perez

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have exemplified that age is no obstacle to pursuing one’s goals. However, for Sergio Perez, this adage has become a stumbling block as he faces potential replacement by a 23-year-old driver. In a viral tweet by @RBRdaily, Helmut Marko highlighted youth as a primary reason for considering Lando Norris for Red Bull. He said, “In terms of youth and speed, he[Lando Norris] would be a good fit.”

On the flip side, the RB Taskmaster doesn’t align Perez with Red Bull’s ideology of nurturing long-term talent. He concluded by saying, ” Sergio, on the other hand, is already over 30 and is going to have his fourth child. He already has other interests, so we’ll have to see what happens next.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Will Lando Norris Switch Teams From the Miserable McLaren – What are his Options?

With uncertainties looming over Sergio Perez’s future, what potential alternatives could he explore?