Red Bull F1 chief BLASTS reports of Liberty Media interference in driver sacking choice

sergio perez, helmut marko, red bull racing — Photo: © IMAGO

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Red Bull chief BLASTS reports of F1 interference in driver sacking choice

Sergio Perez will remain at Red Bull despite poor performances

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Thursday 8 August 2024 04:00

Sergio Perez has been told to improve his performances after a warning from Helmut Marko, but the Austrian has insisted that F1 owners Liberty Media had anything to do with the Mexican's continued presence on the grid.

Perez's Red Bull future hung in the balance heading into the summer break, after being criticised for a series of poor performances.

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The Red Bull man has scored 24 points in the last six grand prix weekends, staggeringly low in comparison to the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri who have scored 86 and 96 points respectively.

The 34-year-old’s absence from the front of the field has allowed McLaren to close in on Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, where 42 points now separate the two teams.

Sergio Perez's Red Bull future was in jeopardy

Did Red Bull make the right decision retaining Sergio Perez?

In his recent column for Speedweek, team chief Helmut Marko explained why they retained Perez, but also issued a warning to the star for the rest of the season.

“Sergio Pérez will continue to drive the Red Bull Racing car after the summer break, as there are now races on tracks where he was good last year and we are counting on stability,” Marko wrote.

“He has also shown good performances from time to time, and at the last race weekend in Spa he was very fast on Saturday, finishing third.

Helmut Marko discusses Red Bull's decision to retain Sergio Perez

“He was allowed to start from position 2 and according to the calculations, third place would have been possible.”

“Perez doesn't need to get faster, just more consistent. And given the alternatives, he is still our best solution.

“Reports that his continued commitment is due to Liberty Media's desire for him to race in Mexico are not true. They certainly want him to race in his home race, but our choice of driver is not based on Liberty Media's intentions.”

Red Bull McLaren Lando Norris Sergio Perez Oscar Piastri Helmut Marko