[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Perez re-signs for RB for 2 years. OMG they could have switched to someone able to challenge Max but no, same old snooze fest to keep him.

What a waste of a good seat and a better / younger driver. As you were so exciting Red Bull......

Money talks

As posted earlier:

Ralf Schumacher suggests that Sergio Perez's sponsorship money is crucial for Red Bull's budget, especially considering Max Verstappen's high salary. Despite not achieving a podium since the Chinese Grand Prix, Perez's financial contributions make him valuable to the team.
With Perez's sponsorship deals with companies like Disney, Telcel, Mobil, Claro, Nescafé, and KitKat, a contract extension with Red Bull is reportedly on the horizon.
“You shouldn’t forget, as long as Max Verstappen stays, that’s what I’ve heard at least once, the budget limits are relatively tight at Red Bull, and Perez brings money.”
VIA: [PLANET F1: https://www.planetf1.com/.../sergio-perez-sponsors-max... ]

[MontyB1]

Yeah money does indeed talk, but I’m sure there are other drivers that could have brought more talent to a fantastic car than he has to offer, it’s such a vanilla choice when they could have gone with someone who could really take the fight to the front with Max.

I know he doesn’t like team mates that challenge him but this is just poor.

[dfox]

Originally Posted by G30M

yes i read about that, explains a lot

but i hope it's not the cartels sponsoring him?

I think it's doubtful, but I mean, with his family connections, who the heck knows, there could be all sorts of backdoor deals being made... but the companies, Telcel, Nestle, Disney, and others... doubtful.

He does other stuff internal to mexico too, promoting tourism, he's got his own protein drink brand, etc...

I'd like to think he does well enough on the clean side of things to avoid the cartels. But it took a lot of money to get him where he is so...

[M5Rick]

Prediction.
MAX will win
2 Charlie
3 Checo (stronger with his 2 year contract extension.
4 NOR
5 SAI
6 PIA
7 RUS
8 HAM
9 TSU
10 RIC

[MontyB1]

On the Perez deal it actually seems a 1+1 deal so it might only be a one year extension and see where we are. Fingers crossed they role the dice.

[Car-Addicted]

Ralf Schumacher thinks Verstappen will no longer be driving at Red Bull in 2026

Ralf Schumacher questions Hamilton's fit for Ferrari

Ralf Schumacher hints at stunning F1 team switch for Max Verstappen

'Ferrari Shouldn't be Removing Carlos Sainz' Says Schumacher

Opinions are like ass holes and Ralf Schumacher seems to have a lot of them

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Ralf Schumacher thinks Verstappen will no longer be driving at Red Bull in 2026

Ralf Schumacher questions Hamilton's fit for Ferrari

Ralf Schumacher hints at stunning F1 team switch for Max Verstappen

'Ferrari Shouldn't be Removing Carlos Sainz' Says Schumacher

Opinions are like ass holes and Ralf Schumacher seems to have a lot of them

Well, isn't that kinda what he gets paid for
Those aren't even "Hot Takes"

I tend to agree with him.

Ralf isn't the only person suggesting VER might sit out '26 to see who has the best car.

Hamilton is a terrible fit for Ferrari with Charlie there

Max would switch teams if the RB sucks

Ferrari shouldn't be removing Carlos Sainz

[Marcoose]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

OMG they could have switched to someone able to challenge Max...

Verstappen doesn't seem like the kind that needs to be challenged.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Money talks

As posted earlier:

Ralf Schumacher suggests that Sergio Perez's sponsorship money is crucial for Red Bull's budget, especially considering Max Verstappen's high salary. Despite not achieving a podium since the Chinese Grand Prix, Perez's financial contributions make him valuable to the team.
With Perez's sponsorship deals with companies like Disney, Telcel, Mobil, Claro, Nescafé, and KitKat, a contract extension with Red Bull is reportedly on the horizon.
“You shouldn’t forget, as long as Max Verstappen stays, that’s what I’ve heard at least once, the budget limits are relatively tight at Red Bull, and Perez brings money.”
VIA: [PLANET F1: https://www.planetf1.com/.../sergio-perez-sponsors-max... ]

In other words : Checo has bought his new Red Bull contract .

Carlito SAINZ was the right man to replace Checo , and MAX would have gotten a 'real wingman in the front ..
Red Bull will lose the constructors rankings with Checo in his RB seat !
The 2024 constructors is for Ferrari .

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Opinions are like ass holes and Ralf Schumacher seems to have a lot of them

I thought the original saying was

Opinions are like ass holes everybody has one

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Ralf isn't the only person suggesting VER might sit out '26 to see who has the best car.

:

I don't understand this

If you find someone has the best car you can't just kick out their driver if they have a contract you know

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by G30M

....If you find someone has the best car you can't just kick out their driver if they have a contract you know

Sure you can but it will cost you.

Plus teams might structure their contracts differently if they think they can get their hands on Max.

Either way it's going to be interesting.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Sure you can but it will cost you.

Plus teams might structure their contracts differently if they think they can get their hands on Max.

Either way it's going to be interesting.

No need to fork out money. If you have the best car and max is not driving then you're going to win with whoever you have driving for you, no need to spend more

George Russell hopped into Hamilton's car one weekend in the wrong seat size and destroyed everyone.

I'm just saying that Ralf is proposing a very poor strategy.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by G30M

No need to fork out money. If you have the best car and max is not driving then you're going to win with whoever you have driving for you, no need to spend more

George Russell hopped into Hamilton's car one weekend in the wrong seat size and destroyed everyone.

I'm just saying that Ralf is proposing a very poor strategy.

I don't consider Ralf's stuff "Strategy"...More like pontification.

Just saying you might have the best car and still need the best driver. Take this year for example, would you really want Perez as your #1? I'd pay extra for Max.

I think most top teams will try their very best to leave all options open for '26.

Toto will for damn sure.

[M5Rick]

Ralf has a crystal ball in front of him and talks in his sleep

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

In other words : Checo has bought his new Red Bull contract .

Carlito SAINZ was the right man to replace Checo , and MAX would have gotten a 'real wingman in the front ..
Red Bull will lose the constructors rankings with Checo in his RB seat !
The 2024 constructors is for Ferrari .

Maybe MAX doesn't want Carlito, I wouldn't give up on it yet with just a third of the season done. Strange RB hard suspension turning up on the doormat while Boss Visa cars seem fine and KMags knowing he's out soon being a spanner in the works for anyone who gets in his way will soon iron itself out.

[M5Rick]

Glad for Checo he wangled that contract and I like chunky KitKat !

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Ralf has a crystal ball in front of him and talks in his sleep

Everything from Ralf is clickbait...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Maybe MAX doesn't want Carlito, I wouldn't give up on it yet with just a third of the season done. Strange RB hard suspension turning up on the doormat while Boss Visa cars seem fine and KMags knowing he's out soon being a spanner in the works for anyone who gets in his way will soon iron itself out.

Well , I don't think so my friend . As you can see

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Well , I don't think so my friend . As you can see

The only thing left for Carlito is Audi/Sauber or Williams to replace Sargeant.

[Car-Addicted]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Well, isn't that kinda what he gets paid for
Those aren't even "Hot Takes"

Yes you're right, he is nothing more than Captain Obvious producing worthless click bate. Not a job I would be proud to claim.

[Car-Addicted]

Honestly does any one buy that any driver doesn't care about who their team mate is. Did Senna look forward to Prost as a team mate? Would Vettel pick Mark Webber as a team mate? Let's not forget Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Damn right Max Verstappen cares and so rightly so. The Red Bull management care too. Consistency, harmony and results are hard to argue with.