Sergio Perez's home race in Mexico last Sunday may finally have marked the beginning of the end for his time with Red Bull.
Rumors are swirling that the Brazilian Grand Prix could be his final race for the team, despite a contract for 2025.
Red Bull, having slipped to third in the constructors' standings behind Ferrari and McLaren, is reportedly now weighing its options.
With sponsorship contributions no longer as crucial, following an intensified deal with AT+T, Perez's value to the team has diminished. Reports suggest that Carlos Slim's Telmex logos could disappear from the Red Bull livery by 2025.
According to De Limburger newspaper, the financial implications of losing the constructors' title are massive, with tens of millions at stake. Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko admitted, "We can forget about the constructors' championship now."
However, Max Verstappen's father, Jos, defended Perez, saying, "If they improve the car, which is currently very difficult to drive, then Perez can also get back up front and help Max like (Oscar) Piastri does for (Lando) Norris."
Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested that Perez's struggles might have deeper roots. "There is certainly a mental factor at play, which is reflected in the whole team," he told Osterreich.
"Perez is not a P16 driver, and Max is not a P6 driver. The great unrest in the team with the departure of important people is now also reflected in the performance."
Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are reportedly the frontrunners to replace Perez for the final three races of the 2024 season after Brazil.
Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport also hinted at Red Bull considering a $20 million buyout of Franco Colapinto's Williams contract for 2025. Christian Horner called the Argentine "very talented" and deserving of a seat in Formula 1.
Marko, however, ruled out a loan arrangement for Colapinto, saying, "It is not feasible to take a driver from another academy for such a short amount of time."
For his part, Colapinto denied any knowledge of these discussions, saying, "I don't understand much of what they're talking about. I don't have a seat for next year.
"So, maybe it's a year where I'm not here, but I hope to prove that I deserve a seat enough to come back in 2026 or 2027."
