Red Bull recently made a brave decision to re-sign Sergio Perez. While Perez has been a crucial part of the team, his performance graph is sinusoidal. The Mexican made his Red Bull debut in 2021 and has won six races since then. On the other hand, Max Verstappen has been remarkable, setting high standards with consistent performance.
Although the energy drink-based outfit has shown faith in Perez, his last two races have been horrendous. With two consecutive DNFs, the 34-year-old is enduring a tough time. While this contract extension will assure him, the decision has backfired on Horner and Co. Thus, the fans are perplexed by the re-signing as RBR had other options to explore. However, the team’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, explained the thought process behind retaining Checo.
How Did Red Bull’s Internal Chaos Help Checo Get A Contract Extension? Helmut Marko Explains
The internal feud in Red Bull has been a popular topic on the F1 paddock. While the RBR team tried its best to contain the damage, it was not enough. Thus, the political turmoil ignited at the season’s beginning is still smouldering. Although the flames have subsided, the heat remains intense. The team was divided into two sections. One was with Christian Horner, and others backed Max Verstappen, Jos Verstappen, and Helmut Marko. Moreover, the tussle reached a point where Marko was almost suspended, and Max Verstappen was ready to leave the setup.
However, the senior advisor recently claimed the two factions have made a ‘truce,’ as the team’s performance is their utmost priority. Amid all the internal chaos, Sergio Perez’s shoddy performances go unnoticed. It wasn’t until the Monaco GP that the Mexican collided with Pierre Gasly, destroying the RB20. Further, the collision resulted in monetary damage for the team, and Perez had to retire. Later, on the Montreal track, Checo failed to finish the race after hitting a puddle. Consequently, he got a three-grid place penalty for Barcelona GP, while RBR had to pay the fine.
Thus, putting all the blocks together, Sergio Perez’s getting a contract extension seemed unlikely. However, to everyone’s surprise, Red Bull management made a brave call and retained the racer. The move faced scrutiny from fans, especially since drivers like Carlos Sainz were available for a swap. Therefore, the team’s senior consultant had to explain it to the fans. On OE24, Helmut Marko said the management extended Checo’s contract as they wanted calmness within the setup. Further, he explained the importance of the upcoming three races for Checo, as he would have to prove himself. Apparently, this could be a subtle warning for the 34-year-old Mexican, as the RBR team still has plenty of options to replace him. Therefore, the remainder of the season is paramount for Sergio Perez.
Sergio Perez Willing To Retire At Red Bull
Checo firmly stated that he wants to continue his career with Red Bull, a team he regards highly for its contributions to his development. Concurrently, the Mexican disclosed that he consulted with numerous other teams before making his selection. Still, his primary ambition was to stay with Red Bull through the 2025 season and beyond. Despite having other possibilities, Perez remained committed to Red Bull, citing it as his plan A, B, and C.
He also mentioned the intense and challenging atmosphere at Red Bull, both on and off the track, which he considers unique compared to his past Formula 1 experiences. This zeal drives him to give his all for the squad till the conclusion of his career.
