Sergio Perez branded 'broken man' by 3x race winner

Former F1 driver and pundit Johnny Herbert claimed that Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was a 'broken man' after finishing P8 at the 2024 Belgian GP last weekend. It was an important race for the Mexican driver as there were reports of the Austrian team considering replacing him during the summer break.

The Red Bull driver started the weekend strongly as he finished P3 in the wet qualifying session, eventually becoming P2 after Max Verstappen's 10-place grid penalty was adjusted.

But it was the worst start possible for Perez as he lost the P2 to Lewis Hamilton off the line and was later swamped by drivers behind him due to strategy and on-track overtakes to finish in P8 eventually.

As per Crash.net, three-time race winner Herbert did not hold back while assessing the performances of Sergio Perez in the 2024 season and even called him 'damaged goods'. He said:

“Sergio Perez was the worst performing driver at the weekend again. He went from the front row backward, which is not what teams expect from their drivers. It is horrible to say but it is like he is damaged goods at the moment. He is a broken man mentally.

“There will normally be a performance clause within any contract and that could allow Red Bull to terminate Perez’s contract because his performances have not been good enough for the last couple of years.”

F1 pundit gives his take on Red Bull retaining Sergio Perez

Sky Sports F1 pundit Craig Slater stated that he didn't believe that Red Bull's decision to stick with Sergio Perez was an indication that the latter's position was secure till the end of the season.

While appearing on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Slater said:

"I don't think it's an absolute given he does complete the season. I think Christian Horner would like him to. I'm a big fan of Checo's, I think he's great and I want him to finish the season strongly as well.

"But I don't necessarily think it's out of the question that, if things don't pick up in these races after the resumption, the talk will swirl around again if the title is in the balance."

The 34-year-old is currently P7 in the drivers' championship with 131 points in 14 races and three Sprints. But he regained that position after Mercedes driver George Russell's win and points tally of 25 points in Spa-Francorchamps was taken from him due to the FIA disqualifying the young Brit, citing an underweight car at the end of the race.