The contrast in the performance of their two drivers — Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen — undoubtedly cost Red Bull the Constructors’ championship this season. Perez scored just 45 points in the last 16 races, pushing the Austrian team down to a third-place finish and an $18 million loss in prize money. Now, with the possibility of a sacking looming large, Perez could further burn Red Bull’s pockets with a hefty severance pay-off.
While talking on the future of Perez, Nico Rosberg said that the Mexican driver could ask for $16 million to leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit. “All the rumors suggest that he’s (Perez’s) on his way out, but he hasn’t confirmed it yet because he does have a contract apparently for next year,” Rosberg told Sky F1.
“And we’ve heard rumors it’s around 16 million there at play. He wants his money at least, so he’s not going to go away that easily,” he added.
How much does Checo bring in that he can make up for the constructors payout loss?
byu/I_Am_Vladimir_Putin informula1
Rosberg added that Perez and Red Bull’s lawyers are currently having discussions, following which the the team will decide the 34-year-old’s future.
If Red Bull does part ways with Perez, they stand to lose a lot more in terms of the sponsorship money the Mexican brings in because of his massive popularity in Latin America.
Red Bull are aware of this. Perhaps that is the reason why they retained Perez for so long compared to his predecessors. However, the on-track performance loss that Red Bull are now suffering may push them to make the tough decision.
Verstappen continues to support Perez
Despite starting the season on a promising note, Perez fell back massively compared to Verstappen’s pace as the season progressed. The Dutchman won nine races this year en route to his fourth consecutive championship. Perez, on the other hand, only managed to finish P8 in the standings, recording a handful of podiums in the initial races.
Despite knowing that Perez has not been on his level, Verstappen continues to back him. When asked after the season finale in Abu Dhabi if he sympathizes with Perez’s struggles this season, the 27-year-old replied, “I do”.
Verstappen felt “people have been very harsh on him [Perez]”. Although there are some race weekends that Verstappen acknowledged Perez could have done better, he believed the 34-year-old was “not an idiot“.
Verstappen, instead, pinned the blame on the RB20, referring to it as being “very difficult to drive”.
However, there are many who believe that the Dutchman has an ulterior motive for supporting Perez. Earlier in the season when Red Bull were contemplating parting ways with Perez, reports claimed that Verstappen’s camp supported the Mexican driver. The reason: well, they see him as the perfect number two, who will not be a threat to the Dutchman.
