Sergio Pérez has what he wanted after signing a contract for two more years with Red Bull Racing after having signed his previous contract in 2022 and facing this season having to earn his seat again for the next championship.
The Mexican driver clearly secured his place with his performances in the first races of this season, when he achieved four podiums in the first five grands prix, in addition to two top 3 finishes in the sprint races and solid performances in qualifying.
Its recent results in Imola and Monaco may sound like an alarm after having experienced drops in performance in recent years when F1 arrived in Europe, but Red Bull seemed to give more importance to what was seen at the start of the year and the continuity of having a pilot already known for the future.
However, the renewal of “Czech” Perez with the Milton Keynes team can also be read in key within the power battle that took place at the beginning of the year between Christian Hornerteam manager, and Helmut Markosports advisor.
According to journalist Craig Slater, from Sky Sports F1 and usually with information about what happens behind closed doors at Red Bull, Pérez’s new contract should be taken as a victory for Horner.
“This was a very desired seat in Formula 1 and even talking to people in the office when I received the news, there was a bit of disappointment because Carlos Sainz is not going to be in front of Max Verstappen,” Slater began to analyze the renewal of Perez in Sky.
“I had been waiting for this seat. From what I understand from their representatives, it had been hot and cold, hot and cold for the last few months. Red Bull seemed interested, then they became a little more distant again.”
Sergio Pérez hugs Christian Horner after the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Slater assured that the first contacts with Red Bull Of those who manage Sainz’s career – specifically the Spaniard’s agent is his cousin Carlos Oroño – they went with Marko, but then they went on to talk with Horner.
“Interestingly, the point of contact for Sainz’s negotiators with Red Bull changed from Dr. Helmut Marko to Christian Horner himself. Is this a potential sign that, if there has been an internal power struggle at Red Bull, Christian Horner has stepped down?” clearly become the winner?” he asked.
The British journalist recalled how Pérez showed his support for Horner during the storm that the Red Bull boss went through after being investigated at the beginning of the year for alleged inappropriate behavior with a team employee.
“‘Checo’ Pérez, among other things, had been staunchly loyal to Christian Horner through all his troubles earlier this year. I think it’s certainly Christian Horner’s choice, that’s clear.”
“Maybe if Dr. Marko had had the tie-breaking vote here, another person could have been in that seat in front of Verstappen? Who knows. But the continuity is there,” he concluded.
