Helmut Marko responds to Liberty Media theory about Sergio Perez’s Red Bull future

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Helmut Marko has responded to suggestions that Sergio Perez was only kept on by Red Bull after the F1 summer break because of intervention from Liberty Media.

Before the summer break, Sergio Perez was under serious threat to secure his Red Bull seat after a series of poor results in the second half of his campaign.

Certain performance clauses within his contract that reportedly dictated he must not be more than 100 points behind Max Verstappen were not met, while McLaren has now cut the deficit from 116 points in the first six races of the season to just 42 points in the Constructors’ Championship.

This is what led Red Bull to consider whether or should replace the Mexican with another driver from its talent pool, with Daniel Ricciardo set as the firm favourite ahead of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.

Red Bull held crunch talks on the Monday after the Belgian GP, after Perez failed to convert a front-row start into a win and finished behind Verstappen who had a grid penalty.

Team principal Christian Horner and team advisor Helmut Marko ultimately decided to keep him in the team, but it was without suggestions that F1 owners Liberty Media was involved. Marko has dispelled those rumours when writing in his latest Speedweek column.

Helmut Marko dispels Sergio Perez rumours

A report emerged after the decision was made public that stated Liberty Media had asked Red Bull to reconsider keeping Perez due to fear it could impact revenues.

The Mexican Grand Prix is set to be held in the second half of the season during October, and Perez is set to be the poster boy for the event.

Marko has rubbished suggestions that the commercial rights holders have got involved and explained why they chose to keep him for the final 10 races.

“Perez does not have to become faster, but more constant. And he is still our best solution given the alternatives,” said Marko.

“Reports that his continued commitment goes back to the wish of Liberty Media that he drive in Mexico are not true. They certainly want him to contest his home race, but our driver choice is not based on Liberty’s intentions.”

Max Verstappen may have played an important role in Sergio Perez’s future

Red Bull is likely to have considered numerous factors when deciding whether it was right to move ahead with Perez.

The Mexican could be heard over team radio during the Belgian GP complaining about the balance of his car, while his teammate also made similar comments after the race.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Verstappen highlighted the problems they faced with tyre degradation, while it has been clear that Red Bull has been unable to match McLaren or Mercedes in the car development war.

Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache believes the team must make a car that is easier for Perez to drive, while also admitting to the reasons why they have struggled with upgrades in recent races.

Perez is always a continuity option but with Red Bull also set to reveal its plans for Lawson in September, he will likely face the axe if his form continues to struggle.