Is Time Running Out For Checo?

Checo Perez, Red Bull, AGP.

    Can you remember when the championship winning driver in Formula One came from a team that finished 3rd or worse in the Constructor's Championship? You would have to go all the way back to 1983. Nelson Piquet won his second title driving the revolutionary Brabham the first year after the banning of ground effect cars, yet the Brabham team finished 3rd in the constructor's. Or perhaps you remember the eventful, yet tragic 1982 season when Keke Rosberg won the title only winning one race throughout the season? His Williams team after experiencing the highest of highs by winning the previous two campaigns, languished in a lacklustre 4th place at end of the season. Now in 2024 Red Bull currently finds themselves in the Brabham position with 4 races left to run.
    Having just enjoyed a thoroughly enthralling Mexican GP, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is still in the box seat for the championship, but Red Bull are slipping down the order and now sit in third behind McLaren and Ferrari. Drivers say they take it one race at a time and are not thinking of the championship, but at this late stage of the season, doesn't Max have to adopt the bigger picture mentality? The Red Bull seems a tricky car to drive, but his apparent psyche of robustly defending every position could prove disastrous if an incident renders a retirement. A fourth title could very well be squandered. He knows how to maximise the package on offer. Wouldn't his title aspirations be better served by bagging as many points as possible? Could he and Red Bull for that matter benefit from more sustained support from their second driver Sergio Perez?   
    "Checo" Perez arrived at Red Bull with a reputation as a driver who could gently massage a car and not put it under too much stress. He has started the seasons well, but in recent times his performances have trailed off and now speculation is rife over his future. Red Bull are not adverse to unceremoniously dispatching a driver mid season. Just ask Daniel Ricciardo. They did however, in an effort to relieve some pressure, extend Checo's contract mid season for next year, but this tactic has not had the desired effect. Checo has regularly been eliminated in the first qualifying session with questionable moves in some races forthcoming. What's the bet there's performance clauses written in to the contract despite the Perez camp claiming it's iron-clad for 2025? With the talented yet feisty Liam Lawson currently being groomed at RB and his team mate Yuki Tsunoda already confirmed for the end of season test in the Red Bull, well, read into that as you will.  
    Interesting to note since design guru Adrian Newey announced he was leaving Red Bull earlier in the season stating it was now a mature team, he has made no further contribution to the car's development. Seems ironic to us that that was the moment the car's dominance started eroding, leaving Red Bull to lament over the championship position they're in now. 

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