Jacques Villeneuve fires at Checo Pérez: “He should accept the money and enjoy life”

Former driver and 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has made harsh comments about Sergio “Checo” Pérez’s future in Formula 1. In a recent interview, the Canadian said that the Mexican driver should accept his fate, enjoy his fortune and consider other alternatives outside of the top category of motorsport.

Villeneuve was not one to mince his words when talking about Checo’s current situation at Red Bull. “F1 no longer exists for him, he will never return,” he said bluntly. For the former champion, the Mexican’s performance has been far below expectations this season, and he sees no chance of him recovering his best form at the Austrian team or at any other competitive team.

“When you get to this point, the best thing you can do is take the money, enjoy life or go for endurance races. F1 is not for drivers who just aspire to complete races; it is for those who can challenge the best constantly,” Villeneuve said.

Checo Pérez’s season has been full of ups and downs, with inconsistent results that have put his permanence at Red Bull for 2025 in doubt. Although he had a promising start, his performance has been declining, with problems in qualifying and a lack of pace in the race, which has led to his teammate, Max Verstappen, surpassing him by a wide margin.

Key figures in Red Bull’s management team Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have both expressed concerns about Perez’s performances, and rumours about possible replacements for his seat have intensified in recent weeks.

Despite Villeneuve’s criticism, Checo Pérez remains a driver with great experience and support in the world of motorsport. Although his future in F1 is uncertain, he could find new opportunities in other categories.

Villeneuve mentioned endurance racing as a viable alternative for the Mexican. Categories such as the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans could be an interesting option for Perez, considering his skill in tire management and his ability to maintain consistent race paces.

Another possible destination could be IndyCar, a category where several former F1 drivers have found success, such as Fernando Alonso in his participation in the Indianapolis 500. He could also explore NASCAR, which has welcomed several former F1 drivers in the past.

If Perez decides to stay in F1, he could look for a seat at midfield teams such as Williams, Haas or even Alpine. However, this would represent a step backwards in his career, as he would go from fighting for podiums to fighting for points in the midfield.

Perez has so far avoided responding directly to the criticism and has focused on improving his performance. In several interviews he has reiterated his commitment to Red Bull and his desire to continue competing at the highest level.

Checo’s future in F1 remains uncertain, but what is certain is that Villeneuve’s statements have rekindled the debate about his continuity. With the season underway, each race will be crucial to define whether the Mexican manages to remain in the elite of motorsport or if, as Villeneuve suggests, it is time to explore new horizons.