The Red Bull team entered talks with Sergio Perez over a contract extension earlier this month as the Formula 1 outfit were determined to complete a deal later this year.
Posted at 9:52
Updated at 10:37 a.m.
He didn’t even have to wait for his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix to come to an agreement.
Red Bull have revealed that Perez has signed a two-year extension to remain defending champion Max Verstappen’s team-mate until 2024. The team added that the deal was signed last weekend, but before the win de Perez in Monaco on Sunday.
“Checo did a fantastic job. Time and time again he has proven not only to be a magnificent team player, but as his comfort level has increased he has become a real force to be reckoned with forward,” said the Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner.
Perez is the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history. He joined Red Bull last season and finished fourth in the drivers standings, his best of his career. Perez won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scored four podiums and was a model teammate helping Verstappen’s cause in the battle with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes for the championship.
In the final race of the season in December which decided the F1 championship, Perez dutifully held Hamilton back during the race to offer Verstappen a chance to win.
It was part of his role as the team’s second driver, and Perez saw it again two weeks ago at the Spanish Grand Prix when Red Bull team orders required Perez to relinquish first place. — and victory — to Verstappen.
A post-race team discussion in Spain convinced Perez that Red Bull would allow him to race for wins and the contract extension was agreed ahead of his win at Monaco, his first victory of the year.
“This year he has taken another step and the gap to world champion Max has narrowed considerably,” said Horner. Keeping up with his pace, racing know-how and experience was a no-brainer for us and we are delighted that Checo will continue to race for the team through to 2024. Partnering with Max, we believe we have a duo of drivers who can bring us the highest honors in F1. »
Perez’s victory in Monaco put him ahead of Pedro Rodriguez as the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history. Perez wore a Rodriguez helmet at Monaco, where he scored his third career F1 victory.
“It has been an incredible week, winning the Monaco Grand Prix is a dream for any driver and learning that I will continue with the team until 2024 makes me extremely happy, commented Perez. I feel at home here. We work very well together and my relationship with Max, on and off the track, definitely helps us to progress even more. »