The Red Bull gear needed the exact nut. A piece that could fit between the aspirations of winning a drivers’ World Championship and appeasing the ego of an outlier like Max Verstappen. They failed with their two promising young people, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, in the search for having the not so pleasant place of being second, the shadow. In Checo Pérez, however, they found restraint.
This Tuesday, Pérez’s contract extension was announced for two more years, until 2026. The agreement is announced at a start to the season with certain turbulence for the Mexican. He started with two second places in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, a fifth place in Australia, a second place in Japan, a third place in China, a fourth place in Miami. The problems began in Imola, where he was eighth, and Monaco, where he suffered a spectacular accident caused by Kevin Magnussen, of Haas. “The past races have been tough, we trust Checo and look forward to his recovery and performance,” said Christian Horner, Red Bull team manager.
team man
The change of era in Formula 1 occurred in 2021, when Verstappen was able to remove the seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, from the throne. That season was when Red Bull used all its power to push the Dutchman to the top. Checo Pérez was key. In December 2020, they offered him a contract to be number two, at a time when the Mexican lost his place at Racing Point, today Aston Martin. Pérez helped develop the car during the campaign and avoided fighting on the track with Verstappen. The Mexican had his moment of glory when, in the last race of the year, he battled with Hamilton to take away key seconds. In the end Verstappen was crowned. In his first year, Pérez finished as the fourth best driver on the grid. “Checo is a legend,” congratulated the champion.
In 2022, things were much better for the Mexican. He took third place as a driver, won the most emblematic race in Formula 1, Monaco, and won the Constructors’ World Championship with the team, although he had friction with Verstappen, who refused to give him a place in the São Grand Prix. Paul. “If he has two championships it is thanks to me,” the man from Guadalajara said at the time. In the end, the Mexican and the Dutch settled any discussion. Pérez had the desire to win the championship, but Verstappen’s incomparable talent was stronger.
Last year, the Mexican was rewarded with a runner-up finish in the world championship, the highest step a Mexican has reached in Formula 1. That season was hard for the Mexican as he had problems on qualifying Saturdays. The frustration reached the point of seeing him compete at the limit in the Mexican Grand Prix, where he ended up out in the first corner. On top of that, Red Bull won another Constructors’ World Championship. The Mexican’s role has basically been to fight for podiums, but not to fight with Verstappen. An unspoken rule that he has followed.
A magnet for advertising
In Mexico there is Czechomania. There is no way to avoid it because it is seen on the streets, with people who have assumed the Red Bull clothing as their weekend uniform. Also in the advertisements that flood Mexico: from the telephone to candy. Since Pérez signed at the end of 2020 with Red Bull, he has been the perfect magnet for Mexican and transnational companies. Its impact has attracted the interest of Disney and Nestlé, something that has positioned Red Bull in the Mexican and Latin market. Pérez has caused all of his special merchandise to sell out in the team’s official online store. This year, for example, he has led all his fans to be on the lookout for New Era caps with special editions such as Japan, Miami or Monaco.
Support in times of crisis
Red Bull’s seat is coveted as it has been the reigning team for the last four seasons. The British press and the great analysts put the magnifying glass on the unstoppable Verstappen and Pérez. The Mexican has had to adapt to a car suitable for the Dutchman’s driving conditions and understand that the priority is the European. During the adaptation, the only Latin American on the grid has been criticized for not controlling the Red Bull, for losing stability and for not being like Verstappen. Pressure was Checo’s worst enemy during 2023, where every week he saw the candidates that emerged to replace him, such as the case of Daniel Ricciardo, signed as third driver. This year, after the brutal accident in Monaco, Red Bull has thrown a lifeline so that you have your seat secured and are motivated.
“Being part of this team is a huge challenge, one that I love. We have a challenge this year and we have every confidence in the team that the future is bright and I am excited to be part of this,” Pérez said this Tuesday. On other occasions, in the face of any mistake, Red Bull’s main advisor, Helmut Marko, would attack the Jalisco player, sometimes with racist comments.
Red Bull: stability after the Newey era
The great Formula 1 engineer, Adrian Newey, announced that he will leave Red Bull as of 2025. The Briton is seen by everyone as the revolutionary man, the master of the best designs of Williams, McLaren and the energy drink company. Now, the F1 team will learn to live without him. The news broke after high tensions at Red Bull, where the team boss, Horner, was investigated for inappropriate behavior and the tensions generated by Jos Verstappen, the driver’s father.
Furthermore, in recent weeks the possibility arose that Verstappen could sign for Mercedes, orphaned after Hamilton’s departure in 2025. This sudden change could alter Red Bull’s plans which, in these last two races, have presented problems.
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