Perez vs Sainz: Red Bull’s strategic decision explained

It was “logical” for Red Bull to commit to a new Formula 1 deal with Sergio Perez, according to insights from a former grand prix racer.

It was “logical” for Red Bull to commit to a new Formula 1 deal with Sergio Perez, according to insights from a former grand prix racer.
Despite re-securing the spot beside Max Verstappen, a position highly sought after on the F1 grid, Mexican driver Sergio Perez, aged 34, has often found it challenging to match the pace of the triple world champion.

In what the team has announced as a “two-year extension to his existing contract,” even Christian Horner, the team principal, admitted that the “past few races have been tough” for Perez.

“But we are confident in Checho and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see,” he stated.

As Carlos Sainz contemplates his impending departure from Ferrari, he was evidently keen to replace Perez for 2025. It’s still speculated that Sainz might accept a one-year deal with Williams next year to keep his options open for a move to Red Bull or Mercedes in 2026.

However, ex-F1 driver Giedo van der Garde is clear on why Red Bull chose Perez instead.

“Sainz would have never worked there,” he expressed on the DRS De Race Show podcast. “Then you’d get cocky behavior between him and Verstappen, and that just doesn’t work.

“Right now they have Max as the first driver, the best driver, and Perez is number 2. Because of that hierarchy, it is quiet between them at Red Bull.

As the second driver, he (Perez) can still win a few races, finish second or third in the championship, and your market value remains good,” van der Garde explained.

“So it’s a logical choice. We knew this was coming. He’s just a super-good second driver. He did not perform the best in the past few races, but who else were they going to take to put next to Verstappen?”

Van der Garde also noted that commercial interests likely played a role in Red Bull’s decision, given the multiple Mexican sponsors involved with the team.

“You can’t forget that he is super popular in Mexico,” the former Caterham F1 driver remarked. “He is very interesting for Red Bull for the energy drink sales market there. It’s a consideration that is always there.”

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