From playing the perfect teammate and earning the respect of the entire team to becoming the cause of their frustrations, Sergio Perez is suffering through the most uncertain time in his Red Bull career. The Mexican played the perfect number two part to Max Verstappen in the first couple of seasons. However, after openly committing his desire to challenge his teammate, Perez has fallen miserably off the track. Forget the championship, Perez is under the immense pressure of losing his seat. The Austrian GP’s qualifying result did not help either and he does not have the sympathy of the fans as well. In fact, the fans are rubbing salt in his wounds after watching the frustrating reaction from Christian Horner.
Before Austria, Perez had failed to make it to the last and all-important part of the qualifying session for three races in a row. The Red Bull Ring added to his frustrations as Perez’s flying lap was deleted for exceeding track limits. This scenario ended Perez’s qualifying early and put 15th on the grid for the race. A shameful result for anyone driving the vastly superior RB19.
🗣️ | Christian Horner was very frustrated with Checo
"He had the pace, He had a car easily capable of being on the front or second row – just stay inside the white lines!"
This was his initial reaction when he was asked Checo 😭 pic.twitter.com/VAPn02WrXq
[@SkySportsF1]— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) June 30, 2023
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Shameful for Perez but hugely frustrating for the entire Red Bull team. This is exactly what we could see from Horner’s reaction when asked to comment on it.
After expressing his frustrations, Horner said, “He had the pace. He had a car easily capable of being on the front or second row – just stay inside the white lines!”
Read More: Max Verstappen Lashes Out at FIA’s “Silly” Antics to Sum Up Sergio Perez’s Debacle
However, for the fans, the hugely frustrating scenario for the Red Bull boss and the driver was an excuse for mockery.
Fans brutally rub salt in the wounds of Sergio Perez after Austrian GP frustrations
The Mexican did not make many friends after openly challenging Verstappen for the championship. He even showed the intent of winning two of the first four races. However, the last three races have not been kind to him, and neither have the fans.
The fans instantly started mocking Perez in the replies to the video showcasing Horner’s reaction.
Checo is so finished
They're gonna get Yuki in that car atp https://t.co/LxiVOnCxJj
— Diogo (@DiogoGTB) June 30, 2023
Red Bull drivers briefing pic.twitter.com/LqVQ71DUF6
— Stormy (@UhStormy__) June 30, 2023
Failing to remember when was the last time checo did Q3?
— Vineet Nair (@Nair10Vineet) July 1, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: Will Daniel Ricciardo Get Swapped in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull?
Checo won’t be with the team in 2024. The relationship has reached its expiry date for all stakeholders.#F1
— Phinsider (@thenrlphinsider) June 30, 2023
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Max Verstappen pole position 4 times in a row
Sergio Perez not making Q3 4 times in a row#Formula1 #F1 #F12023 #AustrianGP 🇦🇹— Robert de Jong 🧒 (@RodeJong) June 30, 2023
Even Latifi would have done a better job
— Shaitan (@Adrianul99) July 1, 2023
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Apart from the concerning and bold suggestions, the fans are showcasing the stark contrast in the difference in performance between Verstappen and Perez. What has become of the Sergio Perez that helped Max Verstappen win the 2021 championship?