Japan sees F1’s Checo Pérez return to the podium and take second place.
Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen led Red Bull to a 1-2 finish in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, with Mexican racer Sergio “Checo” Pérez finishing in second place.
After a poor performance for Red Bull in the last Formula 1 race, the Australian Grand Prix on March 23, when Verstappen retired due to a technical issue and Pérez finished fifth, Pérez made his way back to the podium at Suzuka, Japan.
Speculation that Pérez won’t be returning to Red Bull after 2024 is commonplace whenever he has a poor performance in a race. Every team has two starting drivers, and Pérez’s deal expires at the end of this season. In 2022, he inked a two-year agreement that will pay him around $10 million.
Much of the conjecture is a result of Pérez’s unsatisfactory 2023 campaign. Despite having access to one of the most dominating vehicles in Formula 1 history, he only had two victories in 22 races, and none after the first four races of the season. Nevertheless, he finished second in the overall standings. Despite 261 starts, he has only won six times in his career.
However, he finished in second position three times in the first four races of the year, always trailing his Belgian-Dutch colleague Verstappen, and following the most recent race, there were rumors of a new contract circulating.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was pleased with Pérez’s progress and his capacity to adjust to certain recent vehicle modifications.
In reference to Pérez’s 2023 crash and subsequent retirement from the race, Marko stated in Japan, “I think Pérez was better than expected, especially after a very bad weekend here last year.”
He was particularly pleased that Pérez, together with Verstappen, had qualified on the front row in position two last week.
“He seems like he can handle it,” Marko said. However, it might also be impacted by the fact that contracts for the next year are up for grabs. That appears to be really inspiring as well.
Pérez stated during the race in Japan that he anticipates Red Bull and Formula One decisions to be made in the upcoming month. He may be driving for a different team.
“I feel quite at ease about it,” he said to Sky Sports F1. “The driver market is evolving, and I anticipate a lot of movement in the upcoming weeks. I expect to be really clear about my plans for next year within a month.”
Red Bull CEO Christian Horner stated that Pérez is “destined to lose” the position for the time being has previously criticized Pérez. “I believe he has a lot of confidence, is comfortable in the team, and is very focused on the task at hand.”
The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 21 is the next Formula 1 race.
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