Max Verstappen could get a new Red Bull teammate. © ANSA / ALI HAIDER

Decision after the final: New teammate for Verstappen?

Just one day after the season finale, it will be decided whether Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen will get a new teammate next year.

07 December 2024

From: dpa/sn

"The key people will be meeting on Monday. I can't say when this will be released to the press," Red Bull's motorsports advisor Helmut Marko told TV channel Sky. The Austrian did not want to go into further detail on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: "I don't want to anticipate all these discussions."

It remains to be seen whether Red Bull will stick with Mexican Sergio Pérez after a disappointing season. The 34-year-old surprisingly extended his contract by two years in the summer, but showed some major weaknesses as a driver and clearly lagged behind world champion Verstappen. Pérez has recently repeatedly stressed that he will fulfill his contract in 2025.

Horner and Verstappen praise Pérez

"He remains our driver, he is under contract with the team," said team boss Christian Horner on Friday, but also confirmed the talks: "We will inevitably sit down and talk about the future as soon as we have this race behind us." Pérez is "a very important part of our team" and has "done a great job for us," said Horner.

Verstappen also praised his teammate in the paddock. Both have been driving side by side since 2021. "He is always a great team player. He was always there to get the best result," said the Dutchman: "I can't say anything negative about him."

However, Pérez is only eighth in the World Championship standings and has scored 277 points less than Verstappen. This is mainly why Red Bull had no chance in the constructors' championship and only came third. McLaren and Ferrari will fight it out for the top spot in the last race of the season on Sunday (14.00 p.m./Sky).