Just a rumour - but interesting nonetheless Text: Escudería Telmex Ex high ranking employee told a group of us at a dinner party. Context. Not an actual dinner party but easier for the title. A few days ago, several people were testing some race cars at a local track. After the day at the track was over, this guy's group joined our group and we all went to dinner together before getting back to the hotel. I do not know this guy personally and just met him at the track that day but had heard of him before because he's a well known figure in racing circles in Mexico. It was also known he was one of the top guys in Escudería Telmex. Doing a bit of research, he was working as a high ranking individual for Escudería Telmex directly linked to international sponsorship deals, AKA, Checo Pérez and other motorsports people up until 2022. Here's what he said to the best of my recollection: Red Bull has told Sergio they will not keep him for 2024, breaking the existing contract. (Nothing new in F1 or for Red Bull this very season with Nyck). Apparently this decision was communicated during the week of the Japanese Grand Prix. (This could somewhat explain the absolute shockers that have been Japan and Qatar for Pérez). Would be interesting to go back and watch Sergio's Thursday interviews that weekend but I haven't done that yet. Checo's team, (managers and main sponsor Escudería Telmex) immediately started looking around and talking to people but 2 main problems arose here. There are no seats available. Only one not confirmed is Williams and maybe Stroll's place isn't as secure as everyone thought pre-Qatar? But... These past 4-5 months have been extremely damaging to Sergio's well earned reputation. Other teams have mentioned to them how he is now on the older side (He's been in F1 since 2011!). The once known Tyre whisperer and Mexican Minister of Defense, a mid driver with some epic drives here and there completely collapsed under the pressure of a Championship winning team so they (other teams) don't see themselves kicking someone else out to put Checo in one of their cars, although the sponsorship package that comes with him would certainly make teams in the lower half of the field have a real think about it. This person doesn't know anything about who will replace Checo in 2024. So... During the off weekend between Japan and Qatar, Sergio and his team came to the conclusion that it was time to end his Formula 1 career. He's been doing this for a long time and his family keeps growing and growing. The announcement will be made during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend in 3 weeks time and that'd be it. This guy speculated: Since Escudería Telmex is privy to this information, chances are the Mexican Grand Prix Organization already know as well and may prepare a farewell celebration or something. And that was it. Of course the table had questions and comments but this person claimed that was all he knew, that this was all he has told by someone still inside Escudería Telmex. Now, could this person make it all up in the spot to become the center of attention of the group for a few minutes? I mean, I guess he could have. He was certainly the center of attention while telling us all of the above. Being there at the time, knowing who he is and who he knows, I believed him. So, that's basically it. Take it with a grain of salt of course, I am no one with influence or "connections". I just happened to be there at the track with a group of friends, 2 of which knew this guy very well from years past. That's why they joined our group for dinner. Beyond what I've already written, I don't think there's much more for me to tell, If anything. No, I cannot provide proof so I'm well aware this comes down to a big fat "trust me bro". I debated with myself for a few days whether to post this or not, I obviously decided not to, and so here we all are. English not being my first language, there may be a few grammar and spelling mistakes here and there. Bare with me, the important stuff is in here.
Sad news to learn the manner Checo is, somehow, pushed out of the Red Bull stable like another unwanted puppy . He fell from grace at Red Bull from mid-season, and his form suffered from it. I suppose that apart from Helmut Marko's media campaign, he must have felt the atmosphere changing in the team. All that doesn"t surprise me too much; that's the way Red Bull operates. Thanks for sharing ...
I saw a rumor that Fernando Alonso would replace Checo at Red Bull! I wonder what Max would think of that? Others expect it to be Daniel Ricciardo, which would open up a full-time slot at Alpha Tauri for Liam Lawson.
Sounds very plausible. If he gets the boot, they technically have Danny Ric to replace him, though I wouldn't expect much better performances. No way it will be Liam Lawson. Would love to see Alonso go to RBR, but I thought he already signed with AMR. As for Perez, I don't see him moving down to a junk team just to be in F1. It's not doing Bottas any favors IMO. Williams would surely love to have him, and the team is improving, but its nowhere close to winning races.
Bottas said that he likes being at Alfa Romeo, after the pressure he was under at Mercedes. For Valteri, who has 10 GPs to his name there is time to relax in a mid-field team before retirement. The same could happen for Checo perhaps.
Writing on the wall and has been for 3 months. If he is fired/agree's to leave he is out of F1. Why go down since he has been racing in F1 since 2011. Thats a healthy career. Time for a change. He wont find a home either not in my opinion. Too much talent being held up by Checo, Stroll etc.
Marko recently said that the only person who can compete with Max in the same car is...............Alonso. Can you imagine Max and Alonso as teammates?
What would be the point ? Alonso would be immediatly at a disadvantage stepping into Team Verstappen totally devoted to him. New environment, new team culture, new car, and against some entranched loyalty, that's a lot to take for Alonso. I would never believe that Horner and Marko could be impartial.
He may enjoy driving like Kimi did. I'm sure the atmosphere is much better than it was at Mercedes. But he isn't getting results, he has no chance of winning, he is regularly being outperformed by his teammate. He is proving to be not good enough for a top team to want him anymore.
Who says that everyone is mad about winning all the time? Both Kimi and Bottas made their effort and had success in the past. At the end of their career, they cash in their talent and notoriety by driving for a less success oriented team, in a more relaxed atmosphere. There is nothing wrong in stepping down a little and curbing one's ambition. Beside, F1 needs also rans and back-markers, right?
If Bottas is a happy camper doing what he's doing, then all the power to him. I'm just stating from my own perspective that it isn't benefiting him as a race car driver.
Alonso left good teams in the past to go to bad ones, so he isn't very choosy. At this stage of his career (which is tailing off), I think he is more interested in the money.
Sorry but a 42 years old Alonso could NOT compete with this Max. Absolutely no chance. Lawson is next on the list I guess to be demolished by Max..
Not so much grown up, but can he still perform next to Max whom is in his prime in a car and team that has it working on all 8 cylinders. I would definitely like to see the gap in qualifying and race pace IF Alonso is a team-mate.
Marko likes Alonso at the moment. I also think IF anything Marko says to Alonso as a jibe will be taken with a grain of salt imo.
GPFans asked a source close to Perez about the claims and they said reports of an impending retirement announcement were "a load of nonsense". That would tie in with remarks from Perez six weeks ago that he would race through 2026 at least before looking to wrap up his F1 career.
