After yesterdays one two finish for Ferrari they have come from nowhere to be part of the constructors title race. The 3 week break since the last race as changed the pecking order again as it looks like Ferrari have finally got their car right.
Over the last few races we saw Red Bull heading backwards and McLaren stepping up and taking the lion share of the points with Ferrari only hanging in there. Ferrari are only 8 points behind Red Bull and are looking more and more likely of finishing third.
Verstappen the Red Bull driver can win the last 5 races and it will not matter if Red Bulls other driver Perez continues to not perform. McLaren and Ferrari both have two drivers capable of winning and you would expect them to finish in the top 5 at least in the last remaining 5 races.
Ferrari yesterday showed they have the speed which has been lacking for the majority of the season thus far and were comfortable winners finishing first and second.
Perez as only scored 150 points this season which is roughly 30% of the total team points. Red Bull discussed replacing Perez a month ago and decided to stick with him and this if we are being honest was 3 months too late to raise this topic. The team would not be in a better place if they replaced him now as it is far too late and the constructors title they have been holding onto will be heading to McLaren or Ferrari.
The reason behind the poor decision making hinges on sponsorships and what Perez brings in value to the team. These sponsors come with his driving seat so if he moves to another team those sponsors leave with him. At some point you have to ask yourself the points he has earned are they worth swapping for the sponsorships because a wining team would be able to negotiate far more for their advertising space. His 150 points are worth $150 million to the team but in comparison is 394 less than Verstappen's point tally or nearly $400 million less. They have the same car so surely he is not earning his keep and this is costing the team.
The last 5 races will at least be of interest as in the past the titles were mostly done and dusted by now. The drivers championship s still on the line and any of the top 3 drivers could still lift the title. Verstappen remains the favorite because of his large lead and only needs to finish 3rd in each race to basically guarantee the title. The problem is if LeClerc and Norris along with Sainz and Piastri dominate the last 5 races then not only is the constructors title gone, but so will the drivers championship.
The next race is in Mexico which is Perez's home race and see no change with either Ferrari or McLaren winning this one comfortably.