Sergio Perez’s ability to serve as a cash cow for Red Bull could well be the main reason why the Formula One team haven’t sacked him, according to Formula E driver Mitch Evans. The 34-year-old has endured an arduous season thus far, failing to claim a podium place since the Chinese Grand Prix back in April.

He currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings – a whopping 146 points behind team-mate and leader Max Verstappen. Perez has long been a popular figure in Formula One, with a bulk of his popularity hailing from his home country of Mexico where the Guadalajara native receives a hero’s welcome when the Mexican Grand Prix rolls around on the F1 calendar (this year will be October 27th).

‌Perez’s capacity to pack out the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez track is among the most important of reasons as to why the struggling star has continued to retain a seat with the F1 champions, according to Evans, who admitted the economic advantages the Mexican possesses makes it difficult for other drivers to compete against him for a race seat.