“That is just an invention of some people” – The Red Bull owner has also added that he is not aware of Sergio Perez bringing sponsorship money, let alone that playing a part in his selection.
Red Bull scooped up Sergio Perez for next season, demoting Alex Albon in the process. The latter will now race for the team in a test/reserve driver capacity. When asked by speedweek.com what led to Perez being the chosen one, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz gave a very practical, pleasing answer.
“That we need two strong drivers next year.”
“Perez is one of the best in terms of performance and has never had a chance in a car like ours. He has earned this chance. Our goal was to fill the second seat in the best possible way – and that was exclusively by performance. Who can score more points?”
Sergio Perez got in because of performance… and sponsors?
There was a lot of noise being made that Alex Albon will stay in due to the energy drink company’s Thai connections. This led to Albon being branded a ‘pay driver’, a derogatory term that unfortunately has crept into the sport. Mateschitz politely suggested the rumors were nothing but a figment of the imagination.
“They never have. That is just an invention of some people.”
The fact that Sergio Perez has good sponsorship backing of his own in Mexico could help the team. But the Austrian billionaire calls that a “bonus’, confirming he doesn’t even know who his new driver’s sponsors are.
“I don’t even know who he has. That was not a deciding factor. If he brings sponsors we welcome it because it’s not a payment for a seat, it’s a bonus for the team.”
Also read: “Don’t give up”- Sergio Perez consoles Alex Albon after Red Bull snub
