Tabloid confirms Checo is retiring during Mexican GP at weekend

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Tabloid confirms Checo is retiring during Mexican GP.

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner said: “Time and again he [Perez] 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.

Sergio Pérez will announce his retirement during the Mexican Grand Prix Weekend” – Escudería Telmex Ex high ranking employee told a group of us at a dinner party.

Context. Not an actual dinner party but easier for the title. A few days ago, several people were testing some race cars at a local track. After the day at the track was over, this guy’s group joined our group and we all went to dinner together before getting back to the hotel.   

I do not know this guy personally and just met him at the track that day but had heard of him before because he’s a well known figure in racing circles in Mexico. It was also known he was one of the top guys in Escudería Telmex. Doing a bit of research, he was working as a high ranking individual for Escudería Telmex directly linked to international sponsorship deals, AKA, Checo Pérez and other motorsports people up until 2022.    

Here’s what he said to the best of my recollection:

– Red Bull has told Sergio they will not keep him for 2024, breaking the existing contract. (Nothing new in F1 or for Red Bull this very season with Nyck).   

– Apparently this decision was communicated during the week of the Japanese Grand Prix. (This could somewhat explain the absolute shockers that have been Japan and Qatar for Pérez). Would be interesting to go back and watch Sergio’s Thursday interviews that weekend but I haven’t done that yet.   

– Checo’s team, (managers and main sponsor *Escudería Telmex*) immediately started looking around and talking to people but 2 main problems arose here.   

1. There are no seats available. Only one not confirmed is Williams and maybe Stroll’s place isn’t as secure as everyone thought pre-Qatar? But…   

2. These past 4-5 months have been extremely damaging to Sergio’s well earned reputation. Other teams have mentioned to them how he is now on the older side (He’s been in F1 since 2011!). The once known Tyre whisperer and Mexican Minister of Defense, a mid driver with some epic drives here and there completely collapsed under the pressure of a Championship winning team so they (other teams) don’t see themselves kicking someone else out to put Checo in one of their cars, although the sponsorship package that comes with him would certainly make teams in the lower half of the field have a real think about it.   

This person doesn’t know anything about who will replace Checo in 2024.

So…   

During the off weekend between Japan and Qatar, Sergio and his team came to the conclusion that it was time to end his Formula 1 career. He’s been doing this for a long time and his family keeps growing and growing.      

The announcement will be made during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend in 3 weeks time and that’d be it.     

This guy speculated: *Since Escudería Telmex is privy to this information, chances are the Mexican Grand Prix Organization already know as well and may prepare a farewell celebration or something.*   

And that was it. Of course the table had questions and comments but this person claimed that was all he knew, that this was all he has told by someone still inside Escudería Telmex.   

Now, could this person make it all up in the spot to become the center of attention of the group for a few minutes? I mean, I guess he could have. He was certainly the center of attention while telling us all of the above. Being there at the time, knowing who he is and who he knows, I believed him. 

—   

So, that’s basically it. Take it with a grain of salt of course, I am no one with influence or “connections”. I just happened to be there at the track with a group of friends, 2 of which knew this guy very well from years past. That’s why they joined our group for dinner. Beyond what I’ve already written, I don’t think there’s much more for me to tell, If anything.      

No, I cannot provide proof so I’m well aware this comes down to a big fat “trust me bro”. I debated with myself for a few days whether to post this or not, I obviously decided not to, and so here we all are.   

English not being my first language, there may be a few grammar and spelling mistakes here and there. Bare with me, the important stuff is in here.    

¿Donde pasó esto? En Pachuca el fin de semana.