Despite ongoing rumours about his future at Red Bull, including claims of a possible exit at the end of this season, Sergio "Checo" Perez is poised to continue with the team in 2025.
The Mexican driver has firmly denied the speculation, confirming his commitment to Red Bull in a recent interview in Brazil.
Perez, whose contract runs until 2025, has been the subject of transfer rumours since the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, with some predicting his departure as early as the Belgian Grand Prix. There were also whispers of a potential retirement announcement at the Mexican Grand Prix, but none of these claims have materialised.
Now, Perez is widely expected to retain his seat, despite reports suggesting that young drivers like Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, or even Carlos Sainz could replace him.
In response to the speculation, Checo was clear, saying, "You'll see me in Las Vegas, and you'll see me next year." His words carry weight, despite the uncertainty from Red Bull's management.
Christian Horner, the team principal, has not yet given a firm confirmation, while Helmut Marko and Jos Verstappen have suggested that a change might be on the cards. However, Perez's position appears secure for now.
Adding weight to the speculation of his continued role, sources reveal that Perez is set to bring in new sponsors for 2025, in addition to his existing backing from major Mexican companies such as Claro, Telcel, and Infinitum.
The new deals are expected to significantly boost Red Bull's finances, potentially contributing up to $30 million in sponsorships tied directly to Perez's presence on the team.
This sponsorship money covers not only his $10 million salary but also helps fund Red Bull's operations, with some of these partners being crucial to filling grandstands at races in Austin, Miami, Mexico, and Las Vegas. With a dedicated fan base in Mexico, Perez remains a valuable asset to Red Bull.
On the other hand, Red Bull's potential replacement candidates, such as Lawson, lack significant sponsorship backing, with little to no financial backing compared to Checo's established network.
Despite testing with the RB20, Lawson, Tsunoda, and Daniel Ricciardo have all struggled to match Perez's pace, further solidifying the Mexican's position for 2025.
Unless a dramatic last-minute shift occurs, Perez is set to stay with Red Bull for the upcoming season, leaving the doubters to wait and see.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place on November 24, could offer another opportunity for Perez to show his critics just how important he is to the team.
