Red Bull and Checo to part ways in 2024 over sponsor?

Red Bull and Checo may be about to separate. This comes after the struggling Mexican’s billionaire backer, Carlos Slim of Telmex, publicly supported him at the weekend. It has since emerged that the Mexican telecoms giant will no longer appear on the Red Bull car in 2025.

While Red Bull and Checo were left floundering on the track this weekend, the energy drinks company announced an ‘expansion’ of its partnership with American AT+T. Not only is this a direct competitor of Telmex, but Slim has admitted publicly that he still wants to continue the Red Bull collaboration.

RED BULL AND CHECO, NOW WHAT?

“We are in talks with the team (Red Bull) and the intention will always be to continue to support Red Bull and Checo, without a doubt. However, Checo’s contract is separate from our sponsorship to the team. It has always been like this. But if we no longer have the opportunity to work with the team, we will still continue with Checo. The intention is to stick with him, regardless of which team he races for,” confirmed Slim.

Despite having a signed contract for 2025, the Mexican’s race seat remains in doubt for the rest of the season. “We are now down to third in the constructors’ championship. As a team, we have done everything we can to support Checo and we will do the same in Brazil. But there comes a point when we can’t do any more and that’s when difficult decisions have to be made,” said team principle Christian Horner.

LIAM LAWSON IN THE WINGS

Perez (34) saw his season hit a new low this weekend at his home race in Mexico City. After not gelling with the car, he performed poorly in qualifying and spent most of the race being pushed around by Liam Lawson at the back of the pack. Marko was upset with Lawson after the 22-year-old gave Perez the ‘finger’ out on track.

“He had nothing better to do than block me for half a lap, trying to ruin my race … that’s why I was angry,” said Lawson after the race. “But that’s still no excuse. It’s not who I am, I shouldn’t have done that and I apologise for it,” said the Kiwi.

Meanwhile, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, says Red Bull should put Perez out of his misery before the end of the season. “If they want to do something about Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, they’ll have to do it quickly,” said the commentator for Sky Germany.  – with GMM

SHOULD RED BULL LET CHECO GO?

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