I know Perez is under contract through 2024, but I'm calling it now that he's unlikely to be back in that seat next year unless he has a flawless second half of the season.

Red Bull is lucky right now that they have such a dominant car and driver with Max that their second car's results are just "win by more" points in the constructor's championship for this year. But they have to assume that by next year, Mercedes, Ferrari, and other teams will have closed the gap even more, and having inconsistency in the second seat might not be enough to win even with Max in the first seat.

I have no idea who they would fill the seat with - I've read speculation that there might be some battle lines drawn to try to lure Lando Norris into that seat - but something will likely have to change if Sergio continues to struggle.

Like the last few weeks, with drivers out of place (Hulkenberg on the front row, Perez and LeClerc behind the middle), it should at least make for some good television because of overtaking opportunities. I don't see a serious Max challenge unless there is a mid-race weather change where when to change tires becomes a key decision.