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Marko discusses new contract for Perez

Marko explains why Red Bull chose to go ahead with Perez after all

6 June at 21:36
1
  • Tim Kraaij

Sergio Perez has signed a new deal at Red Bull Racing. Helmut Marko previously spoke highly of Yuki Tsunoda, but, speaking to the Kleine Zeitung, explains why Red Bull have chosen Perez after all.

Perez has signed a new, two-year deal at Red Bull Racing. On Tuesday, the team and the driver announced that they will continue with each other for another two years, although this is a 1+1 deal. For Perez, he said Red Bull was his plan A, B and C, but was that also the case for Red Bull? After all, Perez's performance did fall a bit short in 2024.

Why Perez got a new contract

Speaking to the Austrian outlet, Marko explained why Red Bull decided to extend the 34-year-old driver's contract after all: "We wanted to ensure continuity and both drivers get along fine. There are simply no conflicts," the Austrian stated.

Consequently, there was much reading online that Perez had only got the deal to keep Max Verstappen happy. Perez reacted to this irritated during the press conference. Marko also stressed that Perez brings with him another advantage.

"Checo is hugely popular in Latin America. We sell more merchandise of him there than of Verstappen. And when he (Perez) has his phase, he is almost unbeatable," the Red Bull adviser concluded.

While Perez has signed a new deal at Red Bull Racing, there are question marks over the future of Yuki Tsunoda. According to Marko, the Japanese will remain with Red Bull and thus their sister team Visa Cash App RB. Tsunoda himself was less adamant about this in Canada. He stated that more teams are showing interest and that more commitment is needed from Red Bull to really get him over the line.