F1 Today | Perez may stay at Red Bull despite struggles, Leclerc penalised?
F1 News
Yet more news has emerged from the Formula 1 world today. A lucrative, new sponsorship deal for Sergio Perez may see him stay at Red Bull, despite his many hiccups alongside Max Verstappen this year. In other news, Lance Stroll has been slammed for his Brazilian Grand Prix retirement, and might Charles Leclerc have to take a grid penalty in the remainder of the season?
Lucrative sponsorship deal may see Perez stay:
Sergio Perez is contracted to be Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull Racing for the 2025 Formula 1 season, but his future is seemingly in doubt as the Mexican has struggled to perform in comparison to the three-time world champion. 'Checo' sits down in eighth place with 151 points compared to Verstappen's 393. It could be argued that Perez has lost Red Bull the constructors title, but he may be been given yet another opportunity. The Spanish outlet MARCA wrote on Monday morning that the 34-year-old driver will continue to be in the seat next season. Perez is said to have signed a new lucrative sponsorship deal.
The new sponsor's name is not mentioned, but the company is said to bring in quite a lot of money. Perez has partnerships with the likes of Claro, Telcel and Infinitum, all from the group of billionaire and businessman Carlos Slim and Interprotección backing him. They are said to - already - take care of Perez's entire salary, plus collectively transfer around $30 million annually to Red Bull.
MARCA: 'Those who consider him written off will have to wait a little longer, as he has a contract through 2025. Unless something changes at the last minute (which is not impossible at Red Bull), it looks like he is going to honour that contract,' it concluded.
Stroll slammed by former F1 driver:
Ex-F1 driver Timo Glock fumed at Lance Stroll's Brazilian Grand Prix actions. The Aston Martin driver retired before Sunday's race had even started. He spun on the formation lap, and the Canadian drove straight into the gravel trap. "For me, there are a few things that are not right here. Losing control of the car on the way to the grid, okay, but then driving it into the gravel like that, [that's] really not possible! Besides, Stroll already destroyed the car in qualifying," the former Toyota driver told the German branch of Sky.
"I am also annoyed by this apathy when Stroll appears in front of the reporters' cameras and microphones. There are videos of press conferences where you just shake your head. Such behaviour makes me speechless, this driver really is a laughing stock. For me, there are many talented drivers who deserve a Formula 1 cockpit more than him." Do you agree with Glock? Let us know...
Will Leclerc have to take a grid penalty?
Max Verstappen has streaked ahead in the F1 drivers championship after his impressive Brazilian Grand Prix victory. Now, the battle for second, alongside the constructors championship, has heated up. Leclerc changed to his fourth and final engine of the Formula 1 season during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. This was round 15 out of 24. The limit has been reached in several engine components, including the combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K, battery and control electronics. The same goes for the number of gearboxes allowed. With three races and a sprint race to go, the Monegasque may have to incur a grid penalty before the end of the F1 season.
"Let's take the positive from Brazil, we scored some points. Considering how fast the McLarens were, it was still a good day to stay ahead of them both and only lose four points in the constructors' championship. In Las Vegas, I hope to be very competitive and avoid a penalty," Leclerc said in a conversation with DAZN. How much will this affect the aspirations of both Leclerc and Ferrari? Time will tell...
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