Paddock “rumour” shared that will worry Sergio Perez before F1 Mexican GP

Sky’s Ted Kravitz shared the whisper after the United States Grand Prix, just days before F1 heads to Perez’s home race in Mexico.

In Texas, the under-threat Red Bull driver finished fifth, with teammate Max Verstappen again winning.

Initially it seemed like his grip on P2 in the standings weakened, with Lewis Hamilton’s podium finish, until the Mercedes driver was disqualified, a major sigh of relief for Perez.

“There is a rumour around the place,” Kravitz claimed. 

“If Checo does not manage to seal P2 in the drivers’ championship - which is something Red Bull have never done, and something Christian Horner and Helmut Marko value very highly this year - then they’ll have to have a serious think about whether Checo does stay within his contract next year.

“Or whether they have a proper conversation with Checo about whether he is able to improve next year.

“I’m not saying this is an ultimatum, I’m not saying Perez has a few races until the end of the season to wrap up P2 and secure his drive for next year.

“What I am saying is that Checo is under no illusions as to the importance of P2 in the championship.

“If he can keep getting the results in, and pleasing his fans, that will please Red Bull too.”

Perez is currently second in the drivers’ standings and has a 39-point advantage over Hamilton.

But his form has been questioned in recent months, and the pressure ramped up by the comeback of Daniel Ricciardo to Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri.

This weekend in Mexico, with the crowd firmly in his corner, Perez has a huge chance to make a statement.