Antonio Perez Garibay, the father of Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, has ignited a storm of backlash following his recent comments about former F1 driver and pundit Ralf Schumacher. Garibay’s remarks, made during an appearance on the Spanish-language ESPN Racing podcast, included contentious statements about Schumacher’s sexuality, raising eyebrows across the F1 community.
The controversy stems from Schumacher’s critique of Perez’s inconsistent performances at Red Bull. The German pundit suggested in an interview with Formel1.de that Red Bull should consider replacing the six-time race winner, whose struggles alongside Max Verstappen have hindered the team’s dominance in the constructors’ championship.
Garibay responded by taking personal jabs at Schumacher, implying his criticism was driven by ulterior motives. “There’s a journalist, formerly a Formula 1 driver, who first claimed Checo was out of Red Bull,” Garibay said. “The next week, he [Schumacher] came out of the closet. I don’t know if he was in love with Checo… You no longer know if he’s a journalist, a woman, or a gentleman. But his opinion doesn’t matter.”
These remarks, which also referenced Schumacher’s personal life and past relationships, have drawn sharp criticism for their seemingly homophobic undertones.
Sergio Perez Rejects Offers to Stay with Red Bull
Amid the controversy, Sergio Perez has opened up about his decision to remain with Red Bull despite interest from other teams. In an interview with GQ, Perez revealed he had received two offers earlier in the year but chose to stay because of the unique challenge of competing alongside Max Verstappen.
“I love the challenge of being Max’s teammate,” Perez said. “It’s intense, but it prepares you for everything. I want to spend the last part of my career at the very top, where the pressure is relentless.”
Perez also dismissed ongoing rumors about his exit from Red Bull, calling them “part of the game.” He emphasized the team’s culture of high expectations, acknowledging that even a brief dip in form can fuel speculation.
Currently sitting P8 in the drivers’ championship with 151 points, Perez has endured a challenging 2024 season. Despite four podium finishes, he remains the only driver from the top four teams yet to win a race this year. As Red Bull evaluates its lineup, Perez’s performances and the off-track drama surrounding his father’s comments are sure to keep the spotlight firmly on him.
