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Red Bull poised over ‘$20 MILLION offer’ for shock Perez replacement

Red Bull Racing is reportedly on the verge of making a bold move to replace Sergio Perez, with rumors swirling about a significant financial offer to secure the services of one of Formula 1’s rising stars. Despite having both of their driver slots under contract for the 2025 season, questions about Perez’s future with the team have emerged due to an unimpressive 2024 season thus far.

Perez’s recent performances have done little to quell these concerns. In the Mexican Grand Prix, he struggled in qualifying and exited early in Q1, ending Sunday’s race in 17th position. The following week in Brazil, he faced another challenging qualifying round, ultimately finishing outside the points in 11th place. The disappointing results have led to speculation that Red Bull’s patience with Perez may be wearing thin.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted that if Perez’s form does not improve, a tough decision might be inevitable. This possibility has fueled speculation that the team could bring in a new talent. Recent reports from Sky Italia suggest that Red Bull has turned its attention to Franco Colapinto, a promising Argentine driver currently with Williams. Colapinto made a notable impact when he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, quickly catching the attention of the Formula 1 world with his impressive performances.

These rumors were further supported by Dutch broadcaster Jack Plooij, who added credibility to the notion of Red Bull’s interest in Colapinto. Speaking on Ziggo Sport’s Race Cafe, Plooij claimed that Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is eager to bring Colapinto onboard and that a significant financial offer is in the works. “I’m going to tell you that Williams’ coffers are going to be filled up considerably soon,” Plooij stated, hinting at a sizeable cash injection from Red Bull.

According to Plooij, Marko’s frustrations with Perez’s lackluster performances have led to serious discussions about a potential buyout offer. The broadcaster indicated that Marko expressed his desire to “throw twenty million dollars” at Williams to secure Colapinto’s release from his current contract. Plooij recounted that Marko recently informed Williams team principal James Vowles of his intentions, stating, “I want him now. Done.” The suggestion is that Red Bull is prepared to pay around $20 million, or roughly £15 million, to bring Colapinto on board without delay.

If this move materializes, Colapinto would not be headed to a secondary team under the Red Bull umbrella but would instead be placed directly alongside Max Verstappen in the Red Bull Racing team. Such a decision would signify Red Bull’s confidence in Colapinto’s ability to perform at the highest level, despite his relative inexperience in Formula 1. Only a few races ago, Colapinto was not even competing in the sport, making this potential move to a top-tier team a remarkable turn of events.

While the deal has yet to be confirmed, the financial implications could be significant for both Red Bull and Williams. Should Red Bull follow through with a $20 million offer, it would represent one of the most substantial buyouts in recent Formula 1 history. For Williams, the cash infusion would be welcome as the team continues its efforts to compete with larger, more financially stable organizations. For Red Bull, the acquisition of a young, promising driver like Colapinto could address the ongoing issues surrounding Perez’s inconsistency and potentially secure a long-term partner for Verstappen.

The rumors of this prospective offer underscore the high-stakes decisions that top teams like Red Bull must make to maintain their competitive edge. If Perez’s performance continues to falter, the team may ultimately decide that a fresh, young driver with a strong track record is a better option to support Verstappen and bolster Red Bull’s pursuit of further championships.

This prospective move would mark a bold shift in Red Bull’s driver lineup, underscoring the intense competition and rapid decision-making that characterize Formula 1. Only time will tell if Red Bull proceeds with this reported offer, but if they do, it could herald a new chapter for both Colapinto and Red Bull Racing.