Williams decision could mean trouble for Sergio Perez

There have been calls for Sergio Perez to be replaced by Red Bull for over a year now, and his performance in the 2024 Formula 1 season has been underwhelming so far.

Before the summer break, all signs pointed to the Mexican leaving the team. However, to the surprise of many, Red Bull announced that he would stay with the team at least until the end of the year.

When this announcement was made, rumours arose that Liberty Media had urged Red Bull to keep Pérez for the rest of the season as his sacking would have resulted in major revenue losses at the Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in late October.

A lot of things are said in the paddock but never get out to the media or the outside world. However, a photographer recently revealed that many paddock members believe Perez will be dropped from the team after the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Daniel Ricciardo would then move up to Red Bull from sister team RB alongside Max Verstappen, and reserve driver Liam Lawson would then move up to RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

It was revealed that Red Bull had held talks with Williams about potentially loaning Lawson to replace the struggling Logan Sargeant, provided he would remain available to Red Bull if needed.

But Williams opted for Franco Colapinto instead, another indication that Red Bull may need the New Zealander for one of its four cars in the near future.

From a competitive perspective, this move would make sense as Red Bull is increasingly under threat from McLaren in the Constructors' Championship, with their lead currently shrunk from 115 to just 30 points.

If Perez were to retire after the Mexico City Grand Prix, there would only be four races left on the record 24-race 2024 calendar. By that point, McLaren could potentially be leading the standings and it could be too late for Red Bull.

McLaren has beaten Red Bull on points in eight of the last nine races, including five in a row before this weekend's Italian Grand Prix in Monza. This has made McLaren the fastest team in the field. This was particularly evident at last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, with Lando Norris winning by almost 23 seconds from Verstappen.

Both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri have been at the front of the field for most of the season and if Red Bull loses the lead in the Constructors' Championship, it would likely take a miracle in the final four races to win its third consecutive Constructors' title.

Formula 1 fans could be treated to another thrilling finale to the finish line in Abu Dhabi, similar to the dramatic 2021 World Championship finale between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The improvements Red Bull implements going forward could be a deciding factor in the championship race, and much of that could depend on whether Perez is replaced before the end of the season.