Sergio Pérez's time at Red Bull Racing could be coming to an end, with the crucial decision being made after the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The 34-year-old signed a contract extension earlier this year, but his performances have been under scrutiny as he has failed to replicate the levels seen of him in previous seasons.
After starting the season in excellent form, picking up three second-place finishes through the first four races, Pérez has failed to reach the podium since coming third at the Chinese Grand Prix back in April.
The Mexican has had an even worse time since the summer break, with P6 the highest he has achieved - with that result coming in August at the Dutch Grand Prix.
He has finished outside of the points in seven Grands Prix this year while teammate Max Verstappen has regular finished in the top five and recently claimed his fourth consecutive World Drivers' Championship.
Verstappen has even picked up two race wins, in Brazil and Qatar, since the summer break despite the widely reported issues of this year's car, the RB20.
With Red Bull slipping to third in the Constructors' Championship, on the verge of becoming the first team to have a Drivers' Champion while the team comes third since the 1980s, the future of Pérez has become even more of a focal point.
His recent retirement from the Qatar Grand Prix has brought up the topic of his future once again, with previous reports suggesting that a final decision on the matter would be taken after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - the final race of the season.
Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, who has regularly defended Pérez this season, was asked once again about the situation.
This time, however, he did not sound as committed to him beyond this upcoming final race of the year.
He commented: "Checo has been a wonderful driver for us, certainly in ’21, ’22, ’23."
“He contributed to Max’s championship in ’21, constructors’ championships in ’22 and ’23."
"And, most of all, he’s a great guy and he’s not enjoying the situation he’s in at the moment."
He added: "He knows the pressures of this business and we are going to give him all the support we can to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi next weekend and what he decides to do, that will be his decision at the end of the day."
He concluded: "I think he’s old enough and wise enough to come to his own conclusions but there is still a race to go so let’s get to the end of Abu Dhabi and see where we are at."
Such comments have been interpreted by many to suggest that Pérez's future with the team is effectively over and it is now up to him to determine how to handle it - whether he forces the team into terminating his contract or he retires altogether.
Many publications, including ESPN and The Race, suggest sources have confirmed as such.
The final decision is on the horizon, but with the writing appearing to almost be on the wall, this weekend may very well be the last time we see Sergio Pérez behind the wheel of a Red Bull.
