Red Bull make Sergio Perez decision after crunch talks having 'completely collapsed' at the Belgian Grand Prix - as Max Verstappen's team-mate endures slump in form

Sergio Perez will remain Red Bull's No2 driver for the second half of the Formula One season, the team have confirmed.

Perez had begun the Belgium Grand Prix second on the grid but finished in seventh after George Russell's disqualification.

Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko described his performance as 'completely collapsing', leading to speculation over his status within the team heading into the second half of the season.

'Sergio had the opportunity to take a good result from second place. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case,' Marko told Sky Germany.

'Especially in the last stint, he completely collapsed, where he set 1m48s lap times. What looked so positive in qualifying unfortunately didn't materialise in the race.'

Talks were held over Perez's future on Monday, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirming to employees at the team's base in Milton Keynes that he will stay on.

'Checo remains a Red Bull Racing driver despite recent speculation and we look forward to seeing him perform at tracks he has previously excelled at after the summer break,' Horner said, as per Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

The decision means reserve driver Liam Lawson, RB's Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, will not step into Perez's seat when the season resumes after the summer break.

Perez has endured a major slump in form with his last podium finish coming at the Chinese Grand Prix back in April, the fourth race of the season.

He has since finished seventh on three occasions, eighth twice and 17th once after a fourth place finish in Miami in May.

The Mexican has also been forced to retire on two occasions.

Amid Perez’s struggles, Red Bull’s lead at the top of the constructors' championship has reduced despite Max Verstappen remaining the dominant leader in the driver's standings.

Red Bull remain top with 408 points, but McLaren have closed the gap and are now 42 points adrift.

Perez, a five-time race winner, who helped clinch Red Bull's first one-two in the drivers' standings last year, only signed a new contract with the team last month.

The 34-year-old's extension will keep him with the team until the end of the 2026 season.

Despite not having won a race since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April 2023, Perez had been seen as a reliable No2 behind Verstappen.

The Formula One season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 23 to 25 following the mid season break.