Marko responds to Perez contract rumours: 'Coming out of the blue'

Last week, De Telegraaf announced that Sergio Perez's contract could be adjusted if he was 125 points behind teammate Max Verstappen. That is exactly the difference between the two teammates, and so Red Bull would now have that option. However, Helmut Marko denied to F1-Insider that there would be such a clause in Perez's contract.

Sergio Perez is alternating ups and downs this season. In the first four races, the Mexican won two, but then had a down period, which included failing to reach Q3 five times in a row, while his teammate, Max Verstappen, took pole position each time in those weekends.

The difference between the two is now also evident in the championship. Yet Red Bull does not have the option to adjust Perez's contract, Marko says: "I don't know where it comes from either. It is completely made up out of thin air. The contracts are precisely regulated. There will be no salary cuts."

"I can only say it again and again: We are leading the drivers' championship with both drivers and are clearly ahead in the team standings," Marko continued. "As for Perez: He was in a bit of a crisis, but has turned the corner again in the last two races. Verstappen can't be beaten at the moment. Neither by Perez, nor by any other driver."