The Formula 1 season has been over for over a week and all observers and fans are still waiting for Red Bull Racing to make a decision about the future of Sergio Pérez. The good news: According to motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, the time will soon come.
Red Bull Racing had actually scheduled a decision on whether Sergio Pérez would continue to drive the Austrian racing team’s Formula 1 car in 2025 after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, it was not expected that nothing seemed to happen for a week afterwards. Since the end of the season on December 8th, it’s been a case of waiting. But this situation could soon be over.
As Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko revealed in an interview with F1 journalist Kunal Shah, who is also responsible for the “Inside Line F1 Podcast”, “negotiations are currently underway”. The 81-year-old added that he is in good spirits “that there will be a decision and an announcement this week.”
Marko also explained that the current personnel discussion was the first time that the company’s shareholders were involved. They sit at the table with team boss Christian Horner, Marko and Pérez.
Anything other than an early release of Pérez would be a big surprise. All observers assume that the Mexican will have to resign after four years at Red Bull Racing. The 34-year-old was too weak in the recently ended season and also in the previous year.
Formula 1: Is it still about the money for Pérez and Red Bull?
The fact that the announcement is still a long time coming may also be because it is still about money between Red Bull and Pérez, because the Mexican actually still has a valid contract for 2025 (and probably also for 2026).
Ex-world champion Nico Rosberg believes all the more that the parties may not have yet agreed on the details of the contract termination. In his eyes, there is a fight for millions behind the scenes.
“We’ve heard rumors that there’s about $16 million at stake. He [Pérez] at least wants his money, so he won’t disappear so easily. I think the lawyers are discussing things with each other at the moment,” the former Formula 1 world champion recently told SkySports.
F1 journalist Kunal Shah also suggested on