Damon Hill: Red Bull's Title Hopes Are 'One-Legged' Without Perez Stepping Up

If you’ve been following the tumultuous tide of Formula 1, you've likely caught wind of the chatter surrounding Red Bull Racing's current predicament. Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 World Champion, has weighed in with a provocative statement: Red Bull is racing on one leg in this season's title race, hinging precariously on the performance of Sergio Perez.

As it stands, Sergio Perez has extended his contract with Red Bull until 2026, marking a commitment that flies in the face of recent underwhelming performances. Perez's struggle to climb into Q3, coupled with a scant four points accumulated over the last two rounds, has raised eyebrows. Enter Damon Hill, who claims that Perez's current form doesn’t measure up, leaving the team vulnerable as Ferrari and McLaren close in.

Perez's Recent Struggles and Red Bull's Waning Dominance

The Mexican driver's recent form is a stark contrast to his early promise. Unable to secure strong finishes, Perez's lackluster results are alarming, especially as the grid continues to tighten. Ferrari’s resurgence, punctuated by Charles Leclerc's triumph in Monaco, has whittled away Red Bull's lead in the Constructors’ Championship to a wafer-thin 24 points.

Hill's Analysis

Damon Hill suggests that the gap between Max Verstappen and Perez makes Red Bull more vulnerable than ever.