Sergio Perez’s residence race in Mexico final Sunday might have been one among his final in F1.
Rumours are swirling that the crew, having slipped to 3rd general within the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and now Ferrari, can not justify preserving Perez even on the grounds that he brings in tens of millions in sponsorship.
Purple Bull’s intensified cope with AT+T appears set to push Carlos Slim’s Telmex logos off the livery for 2025, whereas De Limburger newspaper says the distinction between profitable the title and ending third is price “tens of tens of millions”.
Staff advisor Dr Helmut Marko admitted after the Mexican GP: “We are able to overlook concerning the constructors’ championship now.”
Max Verstappen’s father Jos, nevertheless, informed f1-insider.com that Perez is just not Purple Bull’s largest drawback. “In the event that they enhance the automotive, which is at present very tough to drive, then Perez may get again up entrance and assist Max like (Oscar) Piastri does for (Lando) Norris.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, in the meantime, informed Osterreich newspaper: “It’s tough for an outsider to grasp what is occurring with Perez.
“There may be definitely a psychological issue at play, which is mirrored in the entire crew, which has taken a step again. Perez is just not a P16 driver, and Max is just not a P6 driver.
“The good unrest within the crew with the departure of vital individuals is now additionally mirrored within the efficiency,” Wolff added.
Nonetheless, in response to the most recent rumours, RB drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are the favourites to interchange Perez, 34, for the ultimate three races of 2024 after Brazil.
Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport, in the meantime, experiences through presenter Jack Plooij that Purple Bull can be contemplating paying $20 million to purchase out Franco Colapinto’s Williams contract for 2025.
Staff boss Christian Horner mentioned in Mexico final weekend that the 21-year-old Argentine, closely backed by an rising posse of nationwide sponsors, is “very gifted”.
“It’s nice to see children like Franco or Liam doing a superb job once they get the possibility,” he added. “He (Colapinto) is an efficient driver who clearly deserves to be in Method 1.”
Simply days in the past, Marko dominated out Williams boss James Vowles’ proposal of a two-year ’mortgage’ of Colapinto to a rival outfit like Audi-Sauber or RB.
“We spoke with Williams about him,” Marko mentioned, “however it isn’t possible to take a driver from one other academy for such a brief period of time.”
After the Mexican GP, Colapinto denied any information of the most recent rumours swirling round him.
“I don’t perceive a lot of what they’re speaking about,” he mentioned. “I don’t know the place it comes from.
“I don’t have a seat for subsequent 12 months,” Colapinto added. “I’ll in all probability go racing someplace else. So, perhaps it’s a 12 months the place I’m not right here, however I hope to show that I deserve a seat right here sufficient to come back again in 2026 or 2027.”
