"Sergio Perez doesn't need to get faster": Helmut Marko gives intriguing verdict about the Mexican driver

Red Bull senior recently explained what Sergio Perez needs to do to secure his seat with the Austrian team. The statement was made amid uncertainty around Checo's future with the defending world champions.

The Mexican driver started off the 2024 F1 season on a promising note. He secured P2 places and was only behind his teammate and defending world champion, Max Verstappen. After the Miami GP, however, his performance dipped massively, especially in qualifying sessions. He performed poorly in qualifying and then did a recovery race in most Grand Prixs.

Drivers from other teams like Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, and more overtook Sergio Perez in the drivers' standings. Hence, several reports emerged that Checo could be replaced by Red Bull in the middle of the season, after the summer break.

As the summer break began after the Belgian GP, reports arrived that the Austrian giants have decided to retain the Mexican driver for the rest of the 2024 season.

Amid all the speculation and rumors, Red Bull senior Helmut Marko spoke of the F1 driver in his exclusive column on "Speedweek". He wrote that Perez needs to be consistent and not necessarily fast. The 81-year-old added that Perez was Red Bull's best option out of other alternatives like Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and more.

"Pérez doesn't have to get faster, just more consistent. And it is still our best solution given the alternatives," Marko explained.

He further confirmed that Sergio Perez would continue with Red Bull after the summer break and hoped for him to improve in the upcoming races.

"Sergio Pérez will continue to be in the Red Bull Racing car after the summer break, because there are now races on tracks where he was good last year and we are relying on stability," he wrote.

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Helmut Marko debunks rumors of Liberty Media forcing Red Bull to keep Sergio Perez for Mexico ticket sales

After Red Bull decided to retain Sergio Perez post-summer break, reports emerged that F1 owners, Liberty Media, forced the defending world champions to keep Checo to boost Mexican GP ticket sales.

This rumor was recently debunked by Red Bull senior Helmut Marko. In the same exclusive column on "Speedweek", he wrote that Red Bull does not make decisions based on Liberty Media interests and clearly stated that the rumors of them pressurizing the team were not true.

"Reports that his continued commitment was due to Liberty Media's wish that he drive in Mexico are not true. You certainly want him to contest his home race, but our choice of driver is not based on Liberty's intentions," Marko wrote.

As of now, Sergio Perez stands in seventh in the drivers' championship table with 131 points. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen leads the table with 277 points.