Sergio Perez is sent a clear warning that having a contract for 2025 means nothing.

With his drive already hanging by a thread, the Mexican's future at Red Bull took another sizable hit last weekend when Liam Lawson, on his first outing for RB since replacing Daniel Ricciardo, finished ninth.

The New Zealander finished just two positions, and ten seconds, behind the Mexican despite starting from the back of the grid after taking on a new engine.

Looking set to be dropped over the summer break, Perez was given a reprieve for the remainder of the season, however, as opposed to grabbing the opportunity with both hands he has continued to disappoint.

Though he has a contract for 2025, Helmut Marko has warned that contracts count for nothing, the Austrian's mood hardly helped by the fact that as Max Verstappen battles Lando Norris for the drivers' title, the constructors' title is also at risk.

"Perez may have a contract, but Formula 1 is a meritocracy," he tells F1-Insider. "If the performance is not right, even contracts are useless.

"At the end of the season, we will sit down together and decide who is the best team-mate for Verstappen at Red Bull," adds the Austrian.

In recent weeks there has been media speculation that rather than get the 'Ricciardo treatment', Perez would announce his retirement following this weekend's home race, however the Mexican has denied this.

"It's a rumour," Marko told Sky Germany of the claim. "He himself says there is no truth in it. Let's see, but he has to improve his performance."

In Austin, Christian Horner, who has continued to defend Perez, much like he did Ricciardo, admitted that the Mexican's performances risk Red Bull losing out.

"They've been very, very strong," he said of Ferrari following its 1-2. "And they've got two drivers that are competing at the front.

"McLaren, likewise, their drivers, there's not a big deficit between them," he added. "So, you know, that's where we really need for the constructors' to have Checo come into play.

"Hopefully, with the support that he'll receive in Mexico, it'll, again, it'll give him that boost," said the Briton. "When you qualify out of position, you lose so much time coming through tail-end cars in the top ten that you've then lost contact with the rest of the race."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Ras, 26/10/2024 19:10

"My take on this is the the Contracts Recognition Board is also useless."

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2. Posted by NS Biker, 24/10/2024 18:55

"My understanding would be that the contract would require Checo to do certain things, only drive for Red Bull, represent the company and a host of other things. It would also bind Red Bull to pay him for services.
Very likely it does not require Red Bull to provide a car if they don't want to. Hence the potential of the current situation.
Why all of this ... Red Bull wants and needs the second car to score points in order to win the CC. It isn't happening. Even Max's championship run is under pressure.
Always interesting to see scenarios play out when there are alternatives (un-used) that might provide a benefit or achieve the desired goal ... in a different way.
Similar to Checo P., Adrian Newey is under contract, currently "tending to his garden".
Would Red Bull be better served cutting Newey loose and letting him get his feet wet at Aston Martin and potentially take some (or more) points away from the other teams currently hounding Max and Red Bull.?
Not likely that Alonso or Stroll would be podium contenders, but maybe they could displace the occasional Ferrari or McLaren from adding points to their game.
Likely getting too late for this year, but could Red Bull benefit from a more competitive AM in 2025.?
We the un-washed masses would certainly like to see some of that.
"

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3. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 24/10/2024 17:57

"@Dirt - it's not that they're useless. That was probably an ESL issue (i.e. poor word choice) for Marko. Contracts are not guarantees of a drive, in part because the terms of the contract will specify certain performance requirements of each side. If Checo meets his performance requirements, and RBR still wants to ditch him, there are financial structures that mean he at least gets paid for some portion (or all) of the remainder of the contract. But, if he doesn't meet those performance requirements the contract can be cancelled without financial penalty."

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4. Posted by Dirt, 24/10/2024 17:00

"Personally I'd prefer to see Perez leave at the end of the season. However, I bristle at the notion that, "contracts are useless." If contracts are useless it's because of teams like Red Bull wield them like bludgeons. "

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5. Posted by Wokingchap, 24/10/2024 16:04

"Marko certainly knows how not to enthuse a driver!"

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"Contracts are useless," Marko warns Perez

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