F1 Rumour: Sergio Perez's Red Bull Contract Could Change This Month

It has been reported that Sergio Perez's contract with Red Bull could change this month.

According to sources, Sergio Perez's Red Bull contract can now be changed due to the gap between him and his teammate Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings. 

Reports suggest that there is a clause in the Mexican driver's contract, which is currently due to expire at the end of 2024, which states that if the gap between the two drivers is 125 points or above, Perez's contract could be changed.

Following the Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen now leads the drivers' championship with an incredible 314 points followed by Perez with 189 points, leaving the gap between the two to 125.

It is not known in what way the changes could or will be made but it is thought that this will be a change in salary or bonus. 

Perez started the year off strong, bringing the gap between him and the two-time champion down to just six points going into the Miami Grand Prix. However, since then he has struggled to keep up with Verstappen's ongoing dominance. Verstappen has won ten of the twelve races so far this season, with the other two wins going to Perez. 

Although he managed to turn things around for the last couple of races, there has continued to be a huge amount of speculation over Perez's future with the Austrian team. Despite his contract running until the end of next year, his lack of performance in comparison to Verstappen has sparked rumours of an early dismissal. 

Nyck de Vries' abrupt exit from AlphaTauri and Daniel Ricciardo replacing him with immediate effect has only fuelled these rumours further with many of the opinion that the Australian driver was brought in to put pressure on Perez but to also prepare in case he steps into Red Bull in 2024. 

Taking to social media, F1 journalist Erik van Haren has shared the news, writing:

"Sergio Pérez is doing himself a disservice with a big gap on Max Verstappen.

"A clause allows his contract to be adjusted by Red Bull, now that the gap is exactly 125 points. Salary/bonuses can be adjusted downwards."

Sergio Pérez bewijst zichzelf met grote achterstand op Max Verstappen een slechte dienst.

Door een clausule kan zijn contract worden aangepast door Red Bull, nu de kloof precies 125 punten is. Salaris/bonussen kunnen naar beneden worden bijgesteld. ⬇️https://t.co/Kbq9aL9MM5

— Erik van Haren (@ErikvHaren) August 5, 2023