With Max Verstappen’s salary at Red Bull straining the budget and rumours of a new contract on the way, Sergio Perez is a hot prospect.
This is a claim made by Ralf Schumacher, who recognises that the sponsorship money Perez brings to Red Bull makes a big contribution to the team’s budget.
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Perez first joined the Red Bull team in 2021 and has helped them win two constructors’ titles since then, with Red Bull aiming for a third F1 title in 2024.
And Mexican racer Perez is widely reported to be due to announce a contract extension with Red Bull, despite the fact that he has not finished on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix.
But Schumacher said the financial aspect is also important to Perez because it helps Red Bull maintain the budget to pay three-time world champion Verstappen’s salary, which Forbes estimates at $70 million.
“We must remember that as long as Max Verstappen stays, Red Bull have a relatively strict budget limit and we have heard at least once that Perez brings in the money,” Schumacher told Formel1.de.
Pérez boasts sponsorship deals with companies such as Disney, Telcel, Mobil, Claro, Nescafe and KitKat.
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But following eighth place at Imola and a crash with the Haas driver on the opening lap after being eliminated in Q1 at Monaco, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner acknowledged Perez needed to re-emerge in the face of increased competition.
McLaren’s Lando Norris took his first F1 victory in Miami, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won in Monaco, helping Ferrari cut Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship to 24 points.
Speaking to media, including PlanetF1.com, after the Monaco Grand Prix, Horner said: “Well, it’s been quite a tough weekend for him.
“We cannot ignore the threat of Ferrari and McLaren in both championships, so we need to make sure both cars can score points.”
Pérez dropped to fifth in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
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