Wealthy sponsor can't understand the rumours: 'Perez stays at Red Bull'

Red Bull Racing has stuck with Sergio Perez despite lagging behind Max Verstappen in terms of performance and results. Perez is contracted to drive for Red Bull in 2025, but there are doubts about his future alongside Verstappen. There have been rumours about whether Perez will stay on but this comes as a surprise to the Mexican's biggest sponsor.

Carlos Slim is one of the richest people in the world. The Mexican businessman has, according to Forbes, a net worth of around $100 billion. Slim transfers millions to Sergio Perez every year, making him one of the driver's main, personal sponsors. Slim also sponsors the Red Bull team through several of his companies.

It is easy to imagine that once Perez leaves Red Bull, Slim will also part ways as a sponsor. It certainly cannot be ruled out that the Austrian team will replace Perez after the current season. Yet Slim thinks this won't happen as he explained in an interview with Motorsport-total.com.

"I don't understand why so many people have doubts. He (Perez) has a contract. He has confirmed that himself. And so does Christian Horner," said Carlos Slim, who must have also heard Horner and external adviser Helmut Marko regularly say they are keeping a close eye on the situation surrounding Perez and his possible successor Liam Lawson.