Red Bull star Sergio Perez has signed a new contract with the team despite doubts recently raised by team chief Helmut Marko.
The new two-year agreement has secured Perez’s future with the defending champions until at least 2026. However, the announcement may come as a surprise to some after 81-year-old Marko expressed reservations over handing Perez a multi-year deal.
It’s not unusual for ageing Formula 1 drivers to agree rolling one-year contracts, but this newly minted deal offers Perez greater stability. However, it was only in April that Marko seemed less enthusiastic about awarding the second-in-command driver a longer commitment, as reported by the Express.
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“If he has a secure contract for two years, there is a risk that he will slack off,” said the Austrian following Perez’s second-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix. That’s despite Perez being in fine fettle at the time and notching four podium finishes across the season’s first five races.
The Mexican, who arrived in Milton Keynes in 2021, has proved to be of major value to Max Verstappen and helped to bag three consecutive world championship for the Dutchman. He’s done so with little fuss since leaving Racing Point (now Aston Martin), not to mention earning a fraction of Verstappen’s reported £43million-a-year salary.
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Interestingly, Red Bull’s announcement of the extension comes after a dip in on-track performance from its deputy driver. Perez has suffered three consecutive failures to make it into the top three places, including an early retirement from the Monaco Grand Prix.
On the other hand, there’s no denying his addition to the team has been beneficial for Red Bull overall. His arrival has coincided with Verstappen setting a new standard in F1, with Perez registering season finishes of fourth, third and second joining Red Bull’s ranks.
Marko was forced to walk back controversial comments on ‘Checo’ amid a previous wobble in performance. It was in September 2023 that the Austrian extended his apologies for insinuating under-par displays were due to Perez’s nationality.
(Image: Getty)
The motorsport icon implied Perez was “not as completely focused in his head” compared to drivers like Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel because he was “South American” (Mexico is part of North America). He later put out a statement apologising for the “offensive remark,” adding it was “wrong to attribute this to his [Perez’s] cultural heritage.”
Presently, Perez stands fifth in the drivers’ standings, which are looking far more competitive this season. The last three Grands Prix have produced three different winners, with McLaren’s Lando Norris celebrating victory in Miami followed by Ferrari hotshot Charles Leclerc clinching top spot in Monaco.
Regardless, Red Bull will be relieved to know their team line-up is settled amid a period of uncertainty for F1 drivers. Perez will be eager to keep the team satisfied with his on-track triumphs and demonstrate any concerns about complacency were undeserved.