Sergio Perez’s Red Bull Renewal Shakes Up the F1 Landscape: Winners and Losers You Need to Know

Red Bull Racing has officially extended Sergio Perez's contract, keeping him with the team through 2026. This move eliminates the lingering uncertainties surrounding his future in Formula 1 and is set to ignite significant changes on the track and within the driver market over the coming months. The question on everyone’s mind: who emerges as winners and losers from this pivotal announcement?

Perez had always downplayed the impact of uncertain contract talks on his performance. However, with Red Bull’s latest decision, those contributing stresses are officially off the table. Despite a shaky recent form - failing to make Q3 in the last two races and amassing just four points - Red Bull has shown faith in the Mexican driver.

Team boss Christian Horner insists that Perez isn't experiencing a slump akin to his previous season, which saw him fall 290 points behind teammate Max Verstappen. Although some might argue that Perez remains in his seat due to a lack of better alternatives, his focus must now shift to elevating his recent performances to help Red Bull retain the Constructors' title.

For Perez, the contractual pressure may have eased, but it's clear that Red Bull’s ambitions and his on-track results are closely tied. Now lying fifth in the Drivers’ Championship, Perez’s output will significantly influence Red Bull's aim to defend their title.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s star driver, openly prefers a teammate who won't challenge his in-house supremacy. Perez fits this bill perfectly. The Dutch ace has dominated Perez across all performance metrics since 2021 and has widened the gap in recent seasons.

Since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April last year, Perez hasn’t bested Verstappen on pure racing terms. Verstappen’s comments suggest he’s confident in his ability to beat any competitor under equal conditions, but having a supportive teammate like Perez allows him to stay focused on external threats rather than intra-team competition.

Perez’s struggles have coincided with a resurgence from Ferrari and McLaren, both of whom have introduced significant upgrades that have turned them into race-winning contenders. Lando Norris exploited McLaren’s new MCL38 to secure his first F1 victory in Miami, and Charles Leclerc triumphed on home ground in Monaco, bringing Ferrari within 24 points of Red Bull in the championship standings.

With Ferrari and McLaren touting driver line-ups evenly matched in performance, unlike Red Bull’s Verstappen-dominated dynamic, Perez’s role becomes increasingly critical. Should Perez falter, the door opens for Ferrari or McLaren to snatch the Constructors' Championship.

The announcement that Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc in 2025 left Carlos Sainz contemplating his options, one of which was a return to Red Bull. Team advisor Helmut Marko admitted talks had been held, and Sainz delayed responding to Audi’s offers, hoping for a Red Bull opportunity.

Yet, Sainz’s history within the Red Bull environment, particularly his contentious relationship with Verstappen during their Toro Rosso days, likely hindered his chances. Despite proving his mettle with race-winning performances, Red Bull prefers a non-disruptive dynamic, a sentiment amplified amid recent internal tensions.

Yuki Tsunoda’s standout season with the Faenza-based team formerly known as AlphaTauri should have positioned him as a frontrunner for a Red Bull seat. Despite outshining Daniel Ricciardo, Tsunoda has faced skepticism from Red Bull’s senior management about his readiness for the top-tier seat.

Currently performing admirably, with impressive point finishes, Tsunoda might explore opportunities outside the Red Bull ecosystem should they arise, especially with Audi reportedly showing interest.

Ricciardo’s return to prove his worth has hit several snags, as he struggles to keep pace with Tsunoda. Despite his claims of improved form compared to his McLaren days, the results haven’t matched expectations. Trailing in most stats compared to Tsunoda, Ricciardo’s Red Bull hopes for 2025 seem slim.

Though speculation exists that Perez’s contract might offer flexibility for Ricciardo’s return, his current underperformance represents a missed shot at solidifying his future with Red Bull Racing.

Liam Lawson’s impressive stint as a Ricciardo fill-in hinted at an imminent full-time debut. However, statements from RB CEO Peter Bayer suggest a preference for the current driver line-up. Despite showing competitive promise, Lawson may find his desired path blocked as Horner and company maintain faith in the existing team.

While the Red Bull line-up remains seemingly immovable for now, the ripple effects of Perez’s renewal leave several key players in the F1 paddock grappling with shifting fortunes and opportunities.