by SIMONE PELUSO
The second consecutive elimination in Q1 suffered in Montreal by Sergio Perez (the third out of the Top-10 counting the 11th position in Imola) keeps the theme of his renewal with Red Bull. The official press release issued by the team on the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix speaks of a two-year contract valid, therefore, for 2025 and 2026.
The reasons that led to the Mexican’s reconfirmation are multiple, from the desire to give stability to the team in a moment that is certainly not peaceful – see the Horner case and Newey’s farewell – to thehuge commercial push that Checo supplies throughout Latin America, crucial for the Red Bull market.
At the same time, however, in Milton Keynes they wanted to hold on to Yuki Tsunoda who, in contrast to Perez, is playing his best championship and is eager for a great opportunity. The Japanese was confirmed to drive the RB during the Canadian weekend, but the driver himself publicly asked more commitment towards him from Red Bull, still hoping to be able to inherit the role of vice-Verstappen.
Perez reevaluated at the end of 2025?
Statements, those of Tsunoda, which find their logic in the latest interview given by the team principal Christian Horner to Viaplayin which he let some new details slip on Perez’s contract.
“We have decided to extend Checo’s contract for another year, but in the meantime we also wanted to exercise Yuki’s option. He’s doing great at RB right now and will stay for another season.”
A slip of the tongue for which Horner immediately tried – in part – to recover, also urged by the journalist who underlined the two-year formula present in the Red Bull press release: “Well, 1+1 is 2, so it’s a two-year contract. As in every contract, there is a lot to say, but these are things that concern the driver and the team.”
Horner’s words were unwanted, but they reopen the path hypothesized before the announcement: one year contract with an option in favor of Red Bull for 2026. And with Tsunoda ready to take over.
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