What Liberty Media told Red Bull before making decision on Sergio Perez’s F1 future

Follow us on Google Discover

The summer break has only just become in Formula 1 but already there have been three big storylines since the conclusion of a dramatic Belgian Grand Prix.

As if George Russell being disqualified after arguably his greatest race in F1 wasn’t enough, teams departed Spa knowing there could be some important movements in the driver’s market before the Dutch Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz finally decided which team he would be joining in 2025, teaming up with Alex Albon at Williams.

James Vowles also seemed to confirm that Logan Sargeant would be staying with the team for the rest of the year after previous suggestions that Sargeant could be dropped during the summer break.

However, the biggest decision came at Red Bull, where Christian Horner and his senior colleagues within the team decided to retain Sergio Perez beyond the end of the summer break.

Perez appeared to be in trouble after the Belgian Grand Prix after failing to make the most of a front-row start as he eventually fell to the back of the leading pack.

A report from F1 Insider has now shared more details about how Red Bull came to their decision.

One intriguing point is that they believe Liberty Media – who owns the Formula One Group responsible for the promotion of the sport – sent a message to Red Bull before Monday’s meeting.

It highlights the importance of Sergio Perez to the grid as both a driver and a marketing tool.

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

What Liberty Media said to Red Bull before making Sergio Perez decision

With ten race weekends left, Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship is dwindling.

All it would take is Max Verstappen to retire at Zandvoort and McLaren to deliver a second one-two of the season for Red Bull to be leapfrogged in the standings should Perez’s form not improve.

This left Red Bull with a dilemma as their prize money – and many of the staff’s bonuses – are tied to the team championship regardless of whether or not Verstappen wins his fourth straight world championship.

The report from F1 Insider has shared that not only did Marko say about the decision to retain Perez that, ‘The cards will be reshuffled for 2025’, but behind the scenes, Liberty Media were having their say on the 34-year-old’s future as well.

It’s believed that Liberty Media asked Red Bull to reconsider dismissing Perez despite his poor results over recent months.

They ‘feared a huge drop’ in commercial revenue at the Mexico City Grand Prix where Perez is understandably the poster boy of the event.

While it’s very unlikely that played any part in Red Bull’s final decision, it’s interesting that Liberty Media are taking such an interest in the make up of the grid.

They may not have been too pleased to learn on Monday that their only American driver – Sargeant – has lost his place in the paddock for 2025.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Max Verstappen may have played his part in saving Sergio Perez

Red Bull would have taken numerous factors into account when deciding whether to give Perez more time or if he should be immediately replaced.

Max Verstappen may have saved Sergio Perez with some of his comments after the race in Belgium.

The Dutchman is very worried about the trajectory of Red Bull’s car development having been caught and seemingly overtaken by McLaren with Mercedes not far away.

Having Perez alongside him guarantees his position as the team’s number-one driver although he’s not been able to replicate his heroics earlier in his Red Bull career where he used to do a fine job holding up Verstappen’s rivals for him at the front of races.