Helmut Marko hints at million-dollar payout over Sergio Perez’s axe
Helmut Marko confirmed that the rumors of a million dollar payout to Sergio Perez following the latter's exit were indeed true.
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Sergio Perez and Helmut Marko (via Planetf1)
Sergio Perez faced an extremely disappointing situation in Formula 1 after he was ousted from Red Bull due to failing performances. The Mexican decided to ‘part ways’ with the team following the end of the 2024 season. However, all was not lost for Perez as he was rumored to receive a million-dollar severance fee from the team following his exit.
Red Bull had already started discussion of Sergio Perez‘s sacking from Red Bull mid-way through the 2024 season, despite him landing a multi-year contract extension. Perez quickly caught onto this and demanded a million-dollar payout in case of a sacking. Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko recently confirmed the rumors to be indeed true.
Marko had a short and simple answer to the question of the million-dollar payout to Perez following the latter’s exit. The Austrian noted that the team reached a mutual agreement with the Mexican driver. Moreover, the 81-year-old accepted the payout and claimed this was common in a sport of such a high caliber as Formula 1.
We have found a mutually acceptable agreement. Yes, we are in Formula 1.
Helmut Marko told Sport.de
Sergio Perez ‘failed’ to find the ‘lost form’
Despite Sergio Perez scoring two victories in the 2023 season, it was nothing compared to his teammate Max Verstappen‘s record-shattering 19 wins. Perez still received multiple opportunities from the team which didn’t work out in the former’s favor. Thus, Marko assessed that the 34-year-old failed to find the lost form as the team recognized that the Mexican couldn’t rise again in such an environment.
He has always hoped to find the lost form, but it has not happened. And he recognized that it was not possible for him to rise again in this environment, and therefore, separation was best.
Helmut Marko added
Perez still might have a shot at returning to Formula 1 (2026) alongside the newly-approved General Motors-Cadillac team on the grid. However, the Mexican is highly likely to not consider a return to the sport and focus on other goals in his life. The 34-year-old would go down in history as one of the greatest team players at Milton Keynes for many years to come.
On the other hand, Liam Lawson starts preparing to debut in a full season with Red Bull in 2025. The campaign will put forth an interesting situation for Milton Keynes following the massive personnel changes in the team.
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Aditya Pandya
(1388 Articles Published)