Max Verstappen believes Red Bull chose the best option “for the whole team” by extending Sergio Perez’s contract, with the Mexican set to race with the Austrian team until the end of 2026.
Amid incessant speculation and movement in the driver market in recent weeks, it was announced ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix that Perez had signed a new two-year contract.
This contract will extend the current duo who began working together when Perez joined Red Bull in 2021. The Mexican, however, expressed greater pressure associated with this new contract, implying that he would have to meet stricter performance clauses if he does not want to be replaced during the season in 2025 or 2026 (read here).
Asked about the Mexican’s contract renewal – and whether he had any say in who would race alongside him – Verstappen replied: “No, I don’t have a say in that, but I’m happy.”
“I get along very well with Checo. I also think that for the whole team it was definitely the best thing to do.”
Dr Helmut Marko added: “What Max says is true: we wanted to ensure continuity and the two drivers get along well. There is simply no conflict between them.”
“And for Red Bull, Checo is extremely popular in Latin America. We sell more products from him than from Verstappen there. And when Checo has his good period, he is almost unbeatable.”
