Analysis
Premium. Christian Horner lijdt gevoelige nederlaag in interne machtsstrijd die maar blijft voortduren
https://www.limburger.nl/sport/auto-mot ... 17248.html
This is the translation of an article published last Tuesday in The Limburger, but it is behind the pay wall.
Hence the whole thing translated by DeepL.
Credits: @Cyril Ratatouille
‘Sergio Pérez announces he is leaving the team’. It was the headline of the press release that Red Bull Racing sent out into the ether around 6pm on Wednesday. Yes, really. According to the report, the Mexican, who had been given a new two-year contract back in June this year, would himself choose to take his pick and tear up his contract after a lousy season.
In an exclusive interview with British Sky later in the evening, team boss Christian Horner explained Pérez's choice. Among other things, Horner explained how great Pérez is and that he has meant an incredible amount to Red Bull Racing. And that he had earned some extra time with his family for that reason. And all with a face of steel. It looked like cabaret...
Based on the hundreds of comments under the video, it is safe to conclude that nobody believes in the team boss's nice talk anymore. That station has been passed by now. It is also crystal clear to them that it is not Pérez's own choice to quit Formula 1, but one made by the team. And rightly so, by the way. The Mexican's performance was downright lousy.
That this particular news item was chosen is the painful compromise of a fierce battle that took place behind the scenes in recent weeks between Red Bull Racing's lawyers and Pérez's. The Mexican initially refused to give up his place because he has a legally valid contract. But when it became clear to him that racing alongside Verstappen in 2025 is no longer an option, he decided to enter the negotiations with two stretched legs.
Initially, Pérez reportedly wanted $100 million. On the one hand to voluntarily renounce his contract, but also for the image damage he had suffered through the whole saga. However paltry he came off in interviews by Horner and top advisor Helmut Marko in the last few months, Pérez and his team also felt pretty quickly that a hundred million dollars was not realistic. A settlement was eventually reached, reportedly somewhere around $15 million.
Not a bad deal from Pérez's point of view. It was rather bizarre earlier in June this year that Checo was offered a new two-year contract by his team boss when things were not going his way. Horner was in dire straits at the time because of allegations of sexually transgressive behaviour and the internal power struggle going on. He could well use a strong ally at the time. By offering Pérez a new fat contract, he at least had the full backing of at least one side of the garage again.
Ironically, it is now Horner who ensures Pérez has to clear the field. Although the Briton could no longer do otherwise as shareholders began to add considerable pressure in the second half of the season. Red Bull Racing's loss of the constructors' championship this year caused a shift in Red Bull's top ranks.
Whereas Horner had previously been supported in all his choices, the vision of top advisor Marko was now chosen.
The latter wanted Liam Lawson in Pérez's place and Isack Hadjar in Racing Bulls vacant seat. The fact that this has now happened
shows that Horner has taken a big hit in the internal power struggle that seems to have no end in sight.
. For me social media is not a reference any more as there are always groups that have their own agenda. (I mean, what else should a Yuki or Checo fan do than saying Liam is the wrong one.)
Me too!
