Damon Hill has expressed disbelief over how Sergio Perez has managed to hold onto his Red Bull seat for so long.
While Max Verstappen managed to bounce back from early struggles in the Las Vegas GP weekend to secure P5 in qualifying, Perez failed to advance beyond Q1.
"Well, what can I say about it?" Red Bull's team advisor Dr Helmut Marko commented to Viaplay.
"Sergio was simply not fast enough. Maybe we should have used two sets of tyres, which might have helped, but we thought he would get through."
Marko has now confirmed that Red Bull will revisit Perez's 2025 contract once the season concludes in Abu Dhabi. "After Abu Dhabi, we will evaluate all the options and make a decision.
"I am not saying there is a risk for him, I am saying we will evaluate all the options and then make a decision."
After Friday's qualifying, former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick weighed in, saying: "I think, if that was me, I wouldn't want to look like that anymore.
"I'd say 'It's time.'"
1996 Formula 1 champion Damon Hill is also perplexed by the situation, questioning why Red Bull hasn't taken more decisive action. "I think they have to pull the plug now," he told Sport Bild.
"I find it completely baffling why they are not more critical of Checo, to be honest."
The contenders to replace Perez include Liam Lawson and Williams rookie Franco Colapinto, though Colapinto's recent crashes have likely hurt his chances.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson's teammate at RB, appears to be out of the running. When asked why, Tsunoda quipped in Las Vegas: "If I knew that, I would change whatever it is immediately after this interview."
