{"id":293845,"date":"2023-11-02T06:24:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T06:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293845"},"modified":"2023-11-02T06:24:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T06:24:17","slug":"sergio-perez-on-borrowed-time-at-red-bull-and-lando-norris-has-already-proven-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/racing\/f1\/sergio-perez-on-borrowed-time-at-red-bull-and-lando-norris-has-already-proven-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Sergio Perez on borrowed time at Red Bull and Lando Norris has already proven it"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Struggling Red Bull star Sergio Perez remains on borrowed time alongside Max Verstappen. A devastating early exit at his home race has left the Mexican fighting for his future.<\/p>\n

Red Bull are insistent that their \u201cintention\u201d is to have Perez in his seat next season. The 33-year-old has a contract until the end of the 2024 campaign, giving him the security of another year.<\/p>\n

But it remains the case that there are several drivers lining up to take Perez\u2019s seat should his poor form continue. McLaren\u2019s Lando Norris has been widely tipped to become Verstappen\u2019s understudy, either this year or next.<\/p>\n

That move is surely destined to happen at some point in the future. Norris is enjoying a comparatively better season than Perez despite driving a weaker car, and is one of the most highly-rated drivers in the sport.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Fernando Alonso to Red Bull rumours as Lewis Hamilton plays mind games[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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The 23-year-old has five P2 finishes to Perez\u2019s four this season, in further evidence that a change might be necessary. Red Bull need a second driver who can consistently get close to Verstappen to ensure they earn as many points as possible.<\/p>\n

In June, Verstappen\u2019s frustration over Perez\u2019s form boiled over at the Canadian Grand Prix. Perez\u2019s poor weekend, in which he finished sixth and failed to reach Q3, left the Dutchman bemoaning: \u201cWell, if I wasn’t here today, obviously it would have been very different for the team. That’s one way of looking at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Verstappen needs a more consistent partner. In Norris, he would have someone who has frequently challenged for podiums despite not driving a car as powerful as many of his Formula One rivals.<\/p>\n

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