“Shows who he really is.” This was all Sergio Perez could say months back in Sao Paulo when his teammate denied the infamous team order swap. While Red Bull stated that they had swept the matter under the carpet, Checo, being a racer, won’t have forgotten it so easily. Half a year later, Max Verstappen may be dominating him ruthlessly. Still, Perez knows he can be a thorn in the Dutchman’s side if things go right. Though, things are going horribly wrong, leaving Perez in no position to avenge Brazil in 2022. Regardless, an F1 journalist has backed the Mexican to get his fantasy redemption.

Sergio Perez was in good spirits when he won 2 of the first 4 races in Jeddah & Baku. Although, since Verstappen’s dominant drive in Miami, things have slipped away drastically. Perez is consistently struggling to reach Q3, let alone challenge Max for the win. While the Dutchman has taken full advantage to win every race since Miami and take a mammoth 69-point lead in the championship. Perez seems to have no chance for the 2023 title. Although, F1 journalist Peter Windsor has stated that if this championship battle gets tight, Checo has the chance to redeem himself.

On his F1 Live Chat on YouTube, Peter Windsor answered a question of whether the Mexican driver has signed conditions with Red Bull to finish 2nd every race or what. Windsor said that we never know if he did, but Checo certainly did not sign up for what happened at Interlagos last year. He stated, “Well yea except for what happened in Brazil. That’s still probably in the back of his mind somewhere when Max [Verstappen] didn’t let him back in front in Brazil & I suspect in Perez’s mind all bets are off.”

Windsor continued to state how Red Bull may once again pull the team orders trigger that gets out Perez’s fantasy redemption response. He said, “Then wait for the moment. Wait for the moment when they say: ‘right Championship’s on the line. Sergio you need to let him pass. he’s on a different strategy, gotta let Max past & he’ll probably say: ‘Remember Brazil’ & then they’ll go quiet and then he’ll wait a lap or two and then he’ll let him pass probably.”

It may seem quite far-fetched for 2023, given Perez is the only close contender with the car to challenge Max for the title this season. So, we may have to see a drastic turn of form for Checo or someone else like Alonso for this scenario to happen. Still, Sergio would not miss such an opportunity, if his seat gets under threat this year due to his worse performances.

Read More: Despite Clouds of Uncertainty Looming Over Sergio Perez’s Future, Daniel Ricciardo’s “Fairytale” Ending at Red Bull Dubbed Unlikely

Will Red Bull have to Cut off Sergio Perez?

Red Bull is a ruthless team that doesn’t cut any slack on its drivers. It’s Perform or Perish! This motto has been in full force ever since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2018. Given how Sergio Perez is falling off the rails in 2023, a similar Red Bull pink slip may come his way, if things don’t improve. But is Red Bull really looking to cut off Perez, a man who has been a great wingman for Max Verstappen for the last 2 years?

The lack of consistency is the biggest aspect RBR may be worried about Perez’s form this year. It has been volatile and since the Miami GP, Sergio has been on a rough downward slope. Helmut Marko has given a subtle hint of Checo’s future & Red Bull’s contingency plans. With Daniel Ricciardo taking the wheel of the RB19 for the Pirelli test after the British GP, Marko may not hesitate to compare the Aussie’s performance level with Perez’s.

If at all Checo’s situation worsens, things may move quickly at Milton Keynes during the summer break to cut off the Mexican driver. Daniel Ricciardo has been raring to get back on track ever since his McLaren divorce. So, he may not be reluctant if this situation transpires in his favor.

Still, Sergio Perez will have to perform extremely badly, like his Monaco GP performance, to force Red Bull into such a scenario. Time will tell if Perez can redeem himself to save his seat or get the boot from the Austrian outfit.

WATCH THIS STORY | Will Daniel Ricciardo Get Swapped in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull?