Red Bull’s Perez deletes awkward tweet as budget cap saga continues

Sergio Perez extends contract with Red Bull Racing until 2024

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Sergio Perez had to delete an awkward social media video this week with Red Bull still to receive their punishment from the FIA for breaching last season’s budget cap. With finances and food two of the hottest topics surrounding the team at present, the scheduled sponsorship message could hardly have come at a worse time. 

After a lengthy check by the FIA, Red Bull were found to have breached 2021’s £114million budget cap. The overspend was only classed as minor, meaning anything up to £5.7m, while reports in the Netherlands indicate that it was just under £2m. 

Costs of catering and sick pay were thought to be two of the key reasons for the final figure, which Red Bull boss Christian Horner suggests is over the limit due to a difference of interpretation. Perez’s scheduled Tweet with Red Bull’s sponsors, Cash App, was pounced on by F1 fans this week. 

Ironically, the promotional footage showed Perez and other members of the team smiling, laughing and finally paying for a lavish meal in a restaurant. 

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Perez deleted the video but many on social media saved the proof and pointed out its awkwardness, given the current situation. “There is so much irony in this commercial it could construct one of my ancestors’ engine blocks,” wrote @FrauleinCKlasse on Twitter. 

Meanwhile, @DiaaElsadat added: “When your media buying team isn’t following the news [laughing emoji].” The nature of Red Bull’s breach means that the FIA are likely to dish out a fine, rather than knock off points that would see Max Verstappen’s 2021 world title handed to Lewis Hamilton. 

Some have called for the sport’s governing body to crack down hard, however, in a bid to set a precedent and stop wealthy teams knowingly overspending before coughing up for the fine. Extraordinary reports indicate that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has mentioned breaking the rules to get back on top if Red Bull aren’t sufficiently punished. 

Despite the social media mishap, the past few days have mostly been celebratory for Horner and co thanks to Verstappen’s second world title triumph. A rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix saw just over half of the race distance completed but a win was enough to put the Dutchman mathematically beyond Charles Leclerc and his team-mate with four Grands Prix remaining. 

“I was pushing [Leclerc] to try and make a mistake but he saw that it was really tough to pass,” said Perez after taking second place. “The way [Max and I] work together since day one has been great.

“We have a lot of respect for each other and we’re pushing the team forwards. As his team-mate, all I can say is that I am proud of what he has achieved. I wish to be in his position on track, but you’ve got to respect what he’s achieved and I’m very, very proud of him.”

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