Christian Horner dismisses performance clause theory behind Sergio Perez axe
Christian Horner rejected a rumored performance clause behind Red Bull's decision to replace Sergio Perez.
Follow Us
Sergio Perez and Christian Horner (via Formula 1)
Red Bull Racing has finally decided to part ways with Sergio Perez after a dismal 2024 campaign for the Mexican driver. Checo was believed to be under threat of such a possibility for the past few months. Now, Team Principal Christian Horner has rejected a theory behind this decision.
Formula 1 contracts often have performance clauses. A driver must live up to the target embedded in their contract by the team, or risk losing their seat. Sergio Perez‘s Red Bull deal was also reported to have such a clause.
Christian Horner accepted that any contract has such clauses and criteria linked to one’s performance. However, the Briton made it clear that such a performance target had no influence in Red Bull’s decision to replace Sergio Perez for 2025.
Any contract has performance clauses and criteria within it but it didn’t make any difference to this decision of Checo to step away and take a sabbatical.
Christian Horner told Sky F1
Christian Horner pinpoints Sergio Perez’s ‘expensive’ failure
Max Verstappen secured the 2024 Drivers’ title this year. However, Red Bull could only finish third in the standings. Christian Horner admitted that Perez’s massive points deficit to Verstappen proved to be costly for Milton Keynes. The Austrian giant will lose millions of dollars in prize money compared to the past two seasons, when it won the title.
Unfortunately, we had a 280 point deficit between our drivers which became quite expensive for the constructor’s championship.
Christian Horner added
Red Bull is yet to name a replacement for Sergio Perez. Liam Lawson is believed to be the front runner in this fight, with Yuki Tsunoda a close second. Though, fans would be certainly disappointed to see Checo get forced out of the grid without a proper farewell by Milton Keynes.
Stay Updated!
Armaan Agarwal
(2271 Articles Published)