Sergio Perez’s ongoing performance issues have raised concerns about Red Bull’s championship ambitions. Despite widespread speculation that he might be replaced during the summer break, Christian Horner and the team chose to keep the Mexican driver until the end of 2025. This decision took many F1 experts by surprise, given Red Bull’s wealth of talented drivers who could have filled Perez’s seat.
Nonetheless, Perez’s significant marketability plays a crucial role in Red Bull’s financial success. His appeal to sponsors and the financial backing he brings to F1 made it difficult for the team to overlook the potential revenue loss that could come from parting ways with him. Therefore, the Mexican racer has put up a demand in cae of an early exit.
Checo Reportedly Asking $20M Compensation If His Red Bull Contract Is Terminated Prematurely
Sergio Perez’s recent struggles in the 2024 Formula 1 season have led to speculation about his future with Red Bull. After a strong start to the season, with podium finishes and competitive performances, Perez’s form took a downturn after the Miami Grand Prix. He is now seventh in the standings, far behind teammate Max Verstappen, who holds a commanding lead with 393 points. Since April 2024, Perez has not finished on the podium. These underwhelming results fueled rumors that Red Bull might consider replacing Perez mid-season. Despite the speculation, the team has decided to keep him for the time being, as he still has a contract with the team until 2026.
Reports suggest that if Red Bull does decide to terminate Perez’s contract early, the Mexican driver could demand $20 million in compensation. This sum would cover the damages Perez could incur from a premature exit. Sergio Perez’s struggles in the 2024 season have significantly impacted Red Bull’s efforts to defend their world championship title against McLaren and Ferrari. The team currently sits third in the standings with 544 points, trailing Ferrari, who are in second place with 557 points, and McLaren, who lead with 593 points. While Max Verstappen can still secure another world championship by maintaining a lead over Lando Norris, Red Bull’s hopes of winning the Constructors’ Championship are slipping away due to Perez’s underperformance.
Helmut Marko Hints Towards Checo’s Exit
Helmut Marko has emphasized that Formula 1 is a merit-based sport, meaning that performance is the ultimate deciding factor. He pointed out that even though Sergio Perez has a contract with Red Bull, it could be rendered irrelevant if his performance does not meet the team’s expectations. Marko further stated that at the end of the season, Red Bull will assess the situation and decide who will be the best teammate for Max Verstappen moving forward. This suggests that Perez’s future with the team could depend on his results in the remainder of the season.
