In Red Bull’s ‘flirt’ with Franco Colapinto for 2025, Perez had the last word

Although Williams’ decision to replace Logan Sargeant at the end of August with young F2 driver Franco Colapinto initially seemed extremely bold to many, the young Argentine was a huge revelation as he immediately moved up to the pace of Alex Albon and won back-to-back GP points for the team.

The 21-year-old has thus been thrust into the spotlight, and the first reports of interest in his services from both Red Bull and Alpine – although both teams have signed their drivers for the new season.

Williams themselves do not have a place for Colapinto in ’25, having earlier this year secured the signature of Carlos Sainz for the position alongside Albon. But it keeps the Argentine under contract – and has set the price to break it in 2025 at €20m, whichever team is interested.

Colapinto is backed by a number of sponsors from Latin America, and this is said to be a key factor in Red Bull’s alleged interest in considering him to replace Perez – who is having a very difficult season this year – for 2025.

Meanwhile, Perez reportedly recently lost the support of one of his sponsors, which could be a blow to his continued partnership with Red Bull, although the two sides this year renewed their contract for another two years – until end of 2026.

But now, Spanish newspaper MARCA report that Sergio Perez has secured new sponsorship deals that will keep him at Milton Keynes next year and which have been accepted by Red Bull Racing director Christian Horner.

MARCA reports that those who consider Perez “written off” by RBR for 2025 should think again, as the Mexican has renewed sponsorships from billionaire Carlos Slim – through the companies Claro, Telcel and Infinitum – which cover his salary and they also contribute $30 million a year to Red Bull.

Given that Franco Colapinto already has significant financial backing from Latin American sponsors, and with his performances this year with Williams he is earning more and more, and given that RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson do not have that luxury, the The Argentine would be the only driver who could take Perez’s place in 2025, with these criteria.

But now Perez is once again a favorite for the garage next to Max Verstappen in 2025. The Mexican recently stated, however, that he sees the end of his career in Formula 1 approaching: “I’m a bit older than Max, so I’m already at the end of my career. He is 34 years old”Czecho said. “My children are the most important thing to me, and they are approaching a critical age.

With 24 games on the schedule and the full commitment we need to have, this is not sustainable for many more years. I know the end is near. I just want to have fun and have a good time. In the future I would like to work with young people, especially compatriots, in the hope of bringing another Mexican to the sport”concluded Sergio Perez.