Telmex sponsorship with Red Bull likely to end amid new AT&T deal, says Perez long term backer Slim Domit as Red Bull faces possible shake-up as AT&T investment looms – The future of Mexican telecoms giant Telmex’s sponsorship of Red Bull Racing is currently in flux, with the relationship potentially coming to an end in 2025. This revelation coincides with huge question marks and persistent whispers that Sergio Perez will exit F1.
Carlos Slim Domit, president of Escudería Telmex and a long-time backer of Mexican F1 driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez, confirmed the potential departure in an interview with ESPN at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez during the weekend of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The race was an utter disaster for Red Bull, especially Sergio Perez.
The move follows a significant investment by AT&T, another major telecommunications player, which could spell the end of Telmex’s prominent Infinitum and Claro branding on the Red Bull cars.
While discussions are ongoing, Slim Domit insisted that any decision to withdraw from Red Bull would not affect Escudería Telmex’s commitment to supporting Sergio Pérez individually.
Telmex and AT&T – a conflict of interests?
The crux of Telmex’s potential departure from Red Bull lies in the inherent conflict between two telecoms giants competing to sponsor the same team.
With the expected entry of AT&T, the idea of having two rival telecoms companies on the same car is a controversial one. Telmex’s exit would make way for a more streamlined branding approach that suits AT&T’s interests. Slim Domit told ESPN that discussions are still ongoing, but admitted that Telmex’s partnership with Red Bull is likely to end in the coming months.
Despite this expected transition, Slim Domit assured that Escudería Telmex will continue to give Pérez its unwavering support.
Slim Domit: “The intention will always be to continue with Checo”
Commenting on Telmex’s unwavering support for Checo Pérez, Slim Domit made it clear that Escudería Telmex’s relationship with the Mexican driver is separate from any links with his team. Pérez’s sponsorship with Telmex is a long-standing one that has transcended team changes throughout his career.
Red Bull’s current sponsorship configuration features Telmex branding through Claro and Infinitum, but this structure could return to a format seen during Pérez’s tenure at McLaren. At that time Checo wore Telmex branding on his helmet and race suit, while Vodafone, McLaren’s main sponsor, dominated the car.
Slim Domit confirmed that whatever the outcome of negotiations with Red Bull, Telmex is committed to supporting Pérez wherever he goes.
“The issue of Checo’s contract is separate from the issue of our sponsorship,” he noted, underlining Telmex’s loyalty to Pérez and the brand’s mission to promote Latin American drivers.
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What’s next for Escudería Telmex’s sponsorship strategy?
As AT&T moves into a dominant sponsorship role with Red Bull, Escudería Telmex may be seeking new avenues for visibility within F1.
Slim Domit’s long-term vision for the organisation remains rooted in supporting Latin American drivers on the international stage.
Although Telmex’s departure from Red Bull is a high-profile change, the organisation’s influence extends beyond a single team and it has historically supported several drivers at once.
In the case of Pérez, this may not necessarily mean Formula 1.
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Pérez Formula 1 exit looms
Despite assurances that Sergio Pérez will retain Carlos Slim’s backing wherever he goes, the prospect of a future without Red Bull raises questions about the Mexican’s realistic options.
Red Bull’s competitive edge and consistent podium finishes have elevated Pérez’s profile and career to new heights, making a move to a less competitive team potentially detrimental. If Red Bull were to end his contract, few teams in the current F1 line-up could match Red Bull’s level of competitiveness or offer Pérez a comparable platform.
This reality underlines the unique position Pérez is in; while Slim’s backing provides stability, it doesn’t guarantee a place with a top team, or in fact any team, especially as many of those teams are already heavily committed to their own young drivers or long-standing partnerships.
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Potential sponsorship for rising talent Franco Colapinto
Slim Domit also hinted at a possible expansion of Escudería Telmex’s involvement in motorsport through up-and-coming drivers such as Argentinian talent Franco Colapinto.
While making it clear that any sponsorship of Colapinto would be independent of their support for Pérez, Slim Domit pointed to the company’s history of supporting Latin American drivers in F1.
“We always try to support Latin American drivers,” he said. With drivers such as Bruno Senna, Pietro Fittipaldi and Esteban Gutiérrez all benefiting from Telmex’s support, Colapinto would join a distinguished list should he join forces with Escudería Telmex in the future.
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Telmex’s legacy in F1 and its continuing mission
Telmex’s journey in Formula One has been closely linked to the career of Checo Pérez, and its continued support reflects the brand’s commitment to creating a legacy for Mexican drivers in the sport.
While the end of Telmex’s sponsorship with Red Bull signals a new chapter, the brand’s legacy and influence in Formula One remains influential. Slim Domit’s comments point to an enduring mission to promote Mexican and Latin American talent, which will undoubtedly play a role in shaping Telmex’s next steps in motorsport sponsorship.
As Red Bull gears up for 2025, AT&T’s entry into the team could indeed be a transformative move, setting a precedent for the presence of US-based telecoms brands in the F1 landscape. This high-stakes sponsorship shuffle leaves Telmex and Slim Domit ready to rethink, and possibly redefine, their role in the sport.
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Telmex supported Adrian Fernandez in CHAMP cars and beyond. Adrian managed Checo. That support around Latin American drivers will always be there with Telmex.