Christian Horner reveals key details of Sergio Perez's '1+1=2' contract with Red Bull

Red Bull Racing's decision to extend Sergio Perez's contract ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix has brought forth interesting details regarding the nature of the deal. Contrary to initial reports of a straight two-year contract, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner clarified that Perez's contract follows a one-plus-one structure.

The announcement of Perez's extension, alongside Max Verstappen, came just before the Canadian Grand Prix, solidifying Red Bull's driver lineup for the foreseeable future. Notably, Red Bull also confirmed the retention of Yuki Tsunoda for VCARB for the 2025 season by exercising an option in his contract.

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Christian Horner shed light on the decision-making process behind the contracts, emphasizing that all drivers are part of the Red Bull family. "They are all Red Bull drivers," Horner stated. "We decided to extend Checo for one more year, but in the meantime, we also wanted to exercise Yuki's option. He is doing great at VCARB at the moment. So yes, he will stay for another year."

What are Sergio Perez’s contract details?

However, the details of Perez's contract reveal a more nuanced arrangement. Rather than a straightforward two-year commitment, Red Bull opted for a one-year deal with an option for another year, incorporating various clauses within it.

Horner provided further clarification, stating, "Well, 1+1=2, so it's a two-year contract. As with any contract, there are all kinds of things in it, but that is, of course, between the driver and the team."

This indicates that while Perez is currently secured for the 2025 season, his continuation with Red Bull for 2026 and beyond, particularly considering the new power unit regulations, is not guaranteed. The contract likely includes performance-related clauses and other conditions that will influence the team's decision for the following seasons.

The decision to structure Perez's contract in this manner suggests Red Bull's cautious approach towards future driver lineups while maintaining flexibility depending on performance and upcoming regulatory changes in Formula 1. As the season progresses, Perez will aim to prove his worth and potentially secure his long-term future with the team beyond 2025.