SERGIO PEREZ has been rewarded with a new two-year contract by Red Bull – a day after winning the Monaco GP.
The Mexican will remain with the team until the end of 2024 after being assured by Red Bull boss Christian Horner that he would be given the same chance as Max Verstappen to fight for the title.
But as said this week, the prospect of equal billing – plus the potential for Perez, 32, to snatch Verstappen’s world crown – could cause problems for Horner.
However, that has not stopped him from handing him a new deal, thought to be worth around £8million a year, and he is now targeting victory in the F1 constructors’ championship.
Horner said: “Since joining Red Bull Racing, Checo has done a fantastic job.
“Time and again he has proved himself to not only be a magnificent team player but as his level of comfort has grown he has become a real force to be reckoned with at the sharp end of the grid.
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“This year he has taken another step and the gap to world champion Max has closed significantly, evidenced by his superb pole position in Jeddah earlier this year and by his wonderful win in Monaco just last weekend.
“For us, holding onto his pace, race craft and experience was a no-brainer and we are delighted that Checo will continue to race for the team until 2024.
“In partnership with Max we believe we have a driver pairing that can bring us the biggest prizes in F1.”
Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2020 after being shown the door by Racing Point – now known as Aston Martin – is third in the drivers’ championship just 15 points behind Verstappen.
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A video has since emerged on social media appearing to show him stumbling from a yacht in Monaco, presumably after celebrating his victory and new contract.
He added: “This has been an incredible week, winning the Monaco Grand Prix is a dream for any driver and then to follow that with announcing I will continue with the team until 2024 just makes me extremely happy.
“I am so proud to be a member of this team and I feel completely at home here now.
“We are working very well together and my relationship with Max, on and off the track, is definitely helping drive us forward even more.
“We have built tremendous momentum and this season is showing that. I am excited to see where that can take us all in the future.”
