Checo Perez ‘obligated’ at Red Bull: Mexico is important, but you are there for good results
Mika Hakkinen stressed that a driver is there to race, not just to sell merchandise
Checo Perez ‘obligated’ at Red Bull: Mexico is important, but you are there for good results
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F1
Checo Perez ‘obligated’ at Red Bull: Mexico is important, but you are there for good results
Mika Hakkinen stressed that a driver is there to race, not just to sell merchandise
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezMARCA
ÁNGEL HÚGUEZ
ADAPTED BY SAM
Actualizado 06/01/2024 – 14:03 CST
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Checo Perez will stay with Red Bull for 2024, but once his contract is up, he could be out and two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen has revealed the secret to Perez to keep that spot.
The Finnish racing legend, who is still technically on a sabbatical that he embarked on in 2001, has instructed Perez to accept that he won’t win a world title and by doing so, he might be able to win a few more races before the 33-year-old’s time in Formula 1 is over.
Usually one or the other is slower,” Hakkinen told UniBet. “In this case Perez is slower than Max, it has been pretty clear lately.”
“If the slower teammate accepts the situation, is able to communicate well with media and the team, is able to develop the car, is motivated and can stay within three or four-tenths of the fast one, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I think it’s an OK situation.
“But if the teammate starts to complain, if he accuses the team of not giving him a good car, is not motivated and results go up and down, it’s not good for the team. That’s when the team needs to make changes.
“I know that having a Mexican driver is important for Red Bull. Mexico is a big market which has its effect on things. But, ultimately, you’re there to race and bring good results and to develop the car faster.
“You can’t rely on one driver only. You need to have two drivers on a certain level in order to develop the car. Is Perez’s future at Red Bull? I think it’s highly unlikely.”
2025’s unlit bonfire
For the 2024 Formula 1 season there were no changes to the driver grid for the first time in the history of the sport. Even under-fire drivers like Perez, Lance Stroll and Logan Sargeant held onto their seats for another year.
But for 2025 the situation will be different, and the driver market could explode and throw everything into the air leaving fans waiting for the chaos to settle in what is routinely dubbed “silly season”.
Only five drivers have a working relationship with their teams beyond 2024. They are Max Verstappen (2028), Oscar Piastri (2026), Lewis Hamilton (2025), Lando Norris (2025) and George Russell (2025).
One would also expect that Stroll, should he want to continue, will retain his seat. Although there there is no clarity on his contract, his father, Lawrence, owns Aston Martin, so he does not seem to be at risk as long as his parent is the boss and he’s motivated to do so.
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