Sergio Perez's performance dip baffles Red Bull Racing

After a strong start in 2024, where Perez supported Max Verstappen in securing three one-two finishes from the opening four rounds, the Mexican driver's performances took a puzzling downturn.

This decline left Red Bull scrambling for answers as they headed into the summer break.

Perez's struggles began in May at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, marking the start of a challenging run of results.

Over the last eight races, he has accumulated just 28 points, a stark contrast to Verstappen's 116 points in the same period. The downturn in Perez's performance raised questions about his future with the team, and there were whispers that he might be dropped.

However, Red Bull have ultimately decided to stick with him for the remaining ten rounds of the season.

Horner admitted that Perez's recent form had been perplexing for the team. "Checo's had a tough run over the last few races," he acknowledged, adding,

"What's so confusing for us is that the season started so well with him and then tailed off."

The Belgian Grand Prix, held just before the summer break, encapsulated Perez's recent struggles. Although he qualified impressively, starting on the front row next to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, the race did not go as planned.

Perez finished seventh, well below the team's pre-race expectations. Horner noted, "Starting on the front row, our objective was to achieve third and fifth. We got the fifth, but we missed the third."

With McLaren closing the gap in the Constructors' Championship to just 42 points, Red Bull will be hoping Perez can rediscover his early-season form as the F1 calendar resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on 25 August.