Helmut Marko poses key question in response to Sergio Perez’s Red Bull future

Helmut Marko has moved to reassure Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull is secure, questioning who might be a better option alongside Max Verstappen.

With Perez’s form alongside Max Verstappen dropping off significantly in recent races, the Mexican now only nine points clear of Fernando Alonso in the battle for second place, speculation has sparked about Perez’s long-term future at the Milton Keynes-based squad.

While Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s current superiority means that losing either the Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championship this year is highly unlikely, Perez’s form would be far more damaging with more competitive rivals.

Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2024, but this doesn’t mean that Red Bull can’t swap around drivers from their sister team AlphaTauri as they have done so in the past – although neither Yuki Tsunoda nor Nyck de Vries appear quite ready for a step up to the front of F1.

But Helmut Marko has said there’s no need for panic regarding Perez at the moment, assuming that he continues to be able to do the job expected of him by helping secure the titles.

Helmut Marko: Sergio Perez is doing the job we expect of him

“We also take luxury problems seriously,” Marko told F1-Insider.com, referring to how comparatively minor the team’s headaches are this year.

“As for Perez, soberly, he’s done the job we expect him to do. He should help secure victory in the Constructors’ Championship and the current standings prove him right. He has also shown that he can win races when he is at his best.”

As a result, Red Bull aren’t looking to pile the pressure onto the Mexican driver, as he continues to try to find ways to keep pace with Verstappen in the sister car.

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Having proven himself as more than capable back-up over the past two years, Marko said the team don’t believe there is a stronger option to slot into place beside the two-time World Champion.

“The question of whether he is good enough does not arise for us,” Marko said.

“Because Max is getting better and better and the question you have to ask yourself is rather a different one: Who would be the alternative? Is there anyone who could really challenge Max right now? To be honest, I don’t see anyone there.”

Helmut Marko: We’re not satisfied with AlphaTauri’s performance

While AlphaTauri have slipped away to the very back of Formula 1, with a troublesome AT04 not lending itself to points finishes to the detriment of Yuki Tsunoda and Nyck de Vries, Marko said the sister team still serves as a proving ground for future Red Bull racers.

“We are not satisfied with AlphaTauri’s current performance, neither are they themselves,” he said.

“But their main task is still to train our young talents so that they can take the next step. That worked well in the past and the current example of Yuki Tsunoda shows that it still works today, despite the still meagre score.

“We hope that AlphaTauri can improve this year. And for the future, it is planned that the cooperation with Red Bull Racing will be expanded – of course within the permitted framework of the regulations – in order to be able to use more resources efficiently. It is planned that parts of the team will go to England.”