Ex-Formula 1 driver Timo Glock believes Sergio Perez has “fallen off dramatically” following a positive start to the season, after enduring a shocking Japanese Grand Prix.
Perez is looking nothing like the driver who claimed two wins from the opening four races, with the Red Bull driver having made countless errors.
Last weekend in Suzuka was no different, as he was slapped with two five-second time penalties and four penalty points.
The 33-year-old was penalised for overtaking Lance Stroll whilst behind the Safety Car and for colliding into Kevin Magnussen at Turn 11, following a ridiculously late attempt at an overtake.
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Perez ultimately retired from the race twice, after Red Bull got him back into the event to serve his penalties, before retiring him again.
Whilst he was busy making driver errors, Max Verstappen was cruising to a 13th victory of 2023, securing Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship.
Checo’s blunders have convinced Glock that he’s in a “difficult position” now, especially as some of his errors have been “simply incomprehensible”.
“Sergio Perez has fallen off dramatically after a good start to the season,” Glock wrote in his Sky Deutschland column.
“He no longer has a chance against Verstappen and little by little his limits have been shown to him, which is why he is probably pretty mentally down.
“Some of the mistakes that Perez makes are simply incomprehensible given his experience and put him in a difficult position.”
Despite his woes, Red Bull have stressed that Perez’s 2024 contract will be respected, although Glock expects it to be the Mexican’s last season with the side.
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With Red Bull having Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda in the family, Glock predicts that one of them will replace Perez in 2025 if he fails to perform.
“Nevertheless,” Glock continued, “Red Bull has said relatively clearly that Perez will continue to sit alongside Verstappen next year.
“But of course, you bring in certain drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda who could take over if Perez doesn’t do a good job next year either, which would probably mean he wouldn’t be in a good position if his contract was extended.”