Ex-Formula 1 driver and the father of Max Verstappen, Jos Verstappen, is unsure what Red Bull should do with Sergio Perez, who was disappointing once again at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Perez needed a phenomenal weekend to deny Verstappen the title in Qatar, something he failed to do.
Instead, it was the Dutchman who was superior over the Mexican once again, resulting in the crown being decided in the Qatar sprint race.
Perez essentially needed to win the sprint and hope that Verstappen didn’t finish in the top-six, a scenario which didn’t occur.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Instead, Verstappen finished second to become a three-time World Champion, whilst Perez retired after being hit by Esteban Ocon.
As the main race was still to come, the celebrations were kept on the low, with Verstappen’s father admitting that “the excitement was a bit off”, despite it being an achievement “beyond our dreams”.
“Who could have dreamt that it happens three times in a row. Insane, this is way beyond our dreams,” Jos told Viaplay.
“You know it’s coming, on a sprint race, with so many safety cars. The excitement was a bit off. But tomorrow another race, we’re going to try to win it.”
Perhaps the celebrations would’ve been greater had Verstappen won the sprint, something Oscar Piastri went onto do.
Three Safety Cars during the sprint impacted how much time Verstappen had to try and catch Piastri, with Jos admitting that he knew during the sprint that his son wasn’t going to win it.
“By then I did realise [winning the sprint race], that’s not going to happen,” he added. “You have to think about the championship too, you have to reel it in. I did see it’s good.”
READ: Lance Stroll warned his trainer is plotting ‘revenge’
The 26-year-old did at least win the main race on Sunday, whilst Perez could only salvage 10th after starting from the pits.
Perez is severely struggling for form currently and must improve ahead of 2024, with Jos admitting that he’s glad that he hasn’t got to decide what Red Bull do with the Mexican.
“No idea, fortunately I don’t have to make that decision,” Jos said, when asked what Red Bull should do with Perez.