Jenson Button delivers verdict on Sergio Perez’s future

With Sergio Perez failing to secure results, debate about his Red Bull future continues. After a very poor season, F1 Champion Jenson Button believes there is no reason for Red Bull to keep Perez next season.

Button: “I can’t see” Perez staying in F1

Considering that Perez has failed to finish in the top 5 since Miami, it is a minor miracle that he remains at Red Bull.

A team once renowned for its ruthlessness has chosen to persist with a driver that is underperforming.

Perez’s inability to fight at the front has cost Red Bull in the constructors battle, with either Ferrari or McLaren set to win the teams’ title.

Speaking ahead of the Qatar GP, Jenson Button spoke honestly about the 34-year-old’s future:

“For him to come out here today, and to put in a good result, is difficult when you’ve had such a negative run of results,” he said on Sky Sports.

“But if he comes out and has two magnificent races, beats Max Verstappen, he’s got a really good chance of keeping his drive.

“Because everyone just thinks of that last race in this sport. But if it continues like it has continued, I can’t see him being here next year.

“He’s not going to be here [next year] for his performance, is he?”

As Button points out, it seems plausible that Red Bull are ready to jump at any justification to keep Perez at the team.

Even though two strong results to end 2024 would not compensate for his overall campaign, Red Bull are still analysing their driver situation on a race-by-race basis.

With that said, there is no evidence that Perez can step up and perform at the required level.

After managing 18th fastest in Qatar’s only practice session, another unsatisfactory result seems on the horizon.

With Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson waiting in the wings, only time will tell if Red Bull pull the trigger and make a long overdue change.