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Possible trouble for Perez as Red Bull sponsor threatens to leave
- Sandy van Wijngaarden
Discussions are being reported that a major sponsor of Red Bull Racing is going to end its contract. Telmex, alongside its CEO Carlos Slim, says it is likely that the company will stop sponsoring the Austrian racing team. According to the company, this is due to the extension of a sponsorship deal from another of the team's sponsors. For Sergio Perez, the departure from Telmex comes at an awkward time as there are rumours that he is racing at Red Bull due to these sponsorships. Should the Mexican driver really fear for his seat now?
Red Bull has a multi-year extended agreement with AT&T, a US-based telecommunications company. As this is a competitor to Telmex, this is likely the reason for Slim to stop sponsoring the team. However, the end of the sponsorship has yet to be confirmed. "We are in talks with the team, it is not final yet," Slim told ESPN Mexico.
Telmex will still continue to sponsor Perez though
Despite changes in its sponsorship to Red Bull, the Mexican telecommunications company will continue to sponsor Sergio Perez as an individual. "The one we always want to continue with is Checo. As far as we can always do that with him, no doubt. The issue of the contract (with the driver) is separate from the issue of sponsorship by us. That has always been the case since he signed with the team," Slim explained.
According to Slim, the company is very loyal to Perez. "If there was no more possibility to continue with the team, we would definitely continue with Checo. The intention is to continue with Checo, where he is, we will be with him."
This article has been created in collaboration with Jenny Garnett.
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