Team principal Christian Horner explains that he is in no hurry to announce the drivers for 2025, but he knows well that in doing so he risks losing valuable pieces on the market: what if his was just a strategy to push Checo to perform at his best?
The announcement of Fernando Alonso’s renewal with Aston Martin was enough to plunge the Formula 1 driver market into a state of excessive calm. With one of the fundamental pawns removed from the negotiating table, it seems that the scenarios of possible other sensational changes in suit have suddenly been reduced, although the majority of the protagonists of the World Cup do not yet have a contract for 2025 in their pocket. The special observer obviously remains Carlos Sainz, who according to Helmut Marko would have “received an unparalleled offer” from Audi-Sauber but who in the meantime is flirting with Mercedes to try to collect Lewis Hamilton’s cumbersome legacy. While Red Bull, after weeks of rumours, indiscretions and gossip about the disputes within the garage (and, more generally within the company) seems increasingly directed not only towards the confirmation of Max Verstappen – who in any case already has a pharaonic contract in his hands for some time until 2028 – but also the renewal of Sergio Perez.
PEREZ FOR AFTER PEREZ
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For environmental reasons, for knowledge of the team and above all for performances and results, which finally arrive with a certain continuity after a couple of limping seasons, Checo clearly seems like the best replacement for himself in the role of vice-Max. The numbers, moreover, speak clearly: the Mexican was able to slot in immediately behind Verstappen and therefore take home three doubles out of four GPs, while in Australia he was slowed down by a penalty in qualifying (the responsibility for which lies attributed mostly to the wall) and then by damage to the floor which did not allow him to express himself at his best during the race. A completely different world compared to 2023, in which the replacement perhaps no longer arrived due to a lack of real alternatives rather than a real desire to offer him a further chance. So why, just as Perez himself says he is convinced that he is on the right track to obtaining the much-needed contract renewal that would allow him to race for the fifth season in a row with a title-winning car, is Red Bull taking its time?
HORNER SPEAKS
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“It’s incredible – said team principal Christian Horner in the press conference on Friday in Shanghai – that we’re only at the fifth race and there’s already all this talk about the market for next year. We are happy with our two drivers at the moment and don’t want to make any decisions on this for some time yet. Obviously, Max has a long-term contract, while Checo, who is out of contract, has driven exceptionally well so far. Maybe because it’s expiring? No, I think he worked hard over the winter and changed his approach to race weekends. He has trained a lot on the simulator and now also in terms of set-ups he is increasingly converging towards Verstappen’s choices.”
TENSION STRATEGY
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If we weren’t talking about Red Bull, and therefore about a team that has accustomed us to surprising and sensational decisions regarding drivers, it would almost seem like the announcement of a renewal already signed. In reality, it is Horner himself who reveals the strategy adopted by Milton Keynes almost as if he wanted to keep Checo on his toes: “Maybe he is driving so well because he is expiring”, he joked, echoing the same considerations of his internal rival Helmut Marko, who after the Suzuka weekend had explained how Perez could only get a one-year contract, if renewed. “Otherwise he would risk relaxing too much,” the Austrian consultant and former pilot added. A sort of not-so-hidden tension strategy, destined to keep the Mexican motivated and on his toes for a few more race weekends. Moreover, if Red Bull really (as Horner says) were to make a decision much later in the season, then it is likely that the only possible alternative for a real replacement for Perez would be an internal one.
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WHAT ALTERNATIVES?
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That is, it would be the road that leads to Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson and a (currently) not irresistible Daniel Ricciardo: all three are under contract with the Milton Keynes team and “loaned” to Racing Bulls, but no one seems to be able to guarantee a higher return than that offered by Perez. In the meantime, the Alonso track has already fallen through and it is difficult to believe that Sainz could still be available after the summer. “I have no idea what Audi offered him – said Horner in this regard, indirectly responding to Marko’s speculations about the Spanish driver – but it is clear that Carlos is a key driver who is also free on the market. So it’s natural that there is interest in him and I think Audi would be crazy if they didn’t consider a profile with these qualities among others who don’t yet have a seat.” Paradoxically, therefore, the fact that the world champion team is taking time is precisely towards the reconfirmation of Perez. “If it were up to him – concluded Horner – he would make the announcement tomorrow, but we as a team are in no hurry. We are in a privileged position because many drivers want to drive for us, but we are also happy with the pairing we have and we just want to make sure that Checo can maintain the levels of consistency shown this season.” Clearer than that…
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