Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have been teammates for a duration of four seasons.
Max Verstappen’s Red Bull salary stretches the budget in a way which makes Sergio Perez very useful amid talk of a new contract coming.
That is the claim of Ralf Schumacher, who has identified the sponsorship money which Perez brings to Red Bull as a critical contributor towards the team’s budget.
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Perez became a member of the Red Bull team in 2021 and has contributed to their success in winning two Constructors’ titles. Currently, Red Bull is aiming for a third championship in F1 2024.
Despite not having achieved a podium finish since the Chinese Grand Prix, there are widespread reports that Perez is soon to be announced for a contract extension with Red Bull.
Schumacher emphasizes the significance of the financial aspect in relation to Perez, as it assists Red Bull in maintaining their budget while also covering the $70 million salary of three-time World Champion Verstappen, as estimated by Forbes.
Speaking to Formel1.de, Schumacher said: “You shouldn’t forget, as long as Max Verstappen stays, that’s what I’ve heard at least once, the budget limits are relatively tight at Red Bull, and Perez brings money.”
Perez proudly showcases sponsorship agreements with renowned brands such as Disney, Telcel, Mobil, Claro, Nescafé, and KitKat.
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Nevertheless, after a mediocre performance at Imola resulting in a P8 finish and an unfortunate collision with the Haas drivers on the first lap in Monaco after being eliminated in Q1, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the necessity for Perez to elevate his game in response to the growing competition.
McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed a first F1 victory in Miami, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc triumphed in Monaco, where Ferrari trimmed Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship lead down to 24 points.
In an interview with media outlets, including PlanetF1.com, Horner acknowledged the challenging weekend experienced by him.
It is crucial that we ensure both cars are performing well and earning points, as we must not underestimate the competition posed by Ferrari and McLaren in both championships.
Perez’s position in the Drivers’ Championship standings has dropped to fifth place, or P5.
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