F1 News
Perez gone after this season? The Mexican is keeping all options open
- Toby McLuskie
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez does not yet know where he will be working in two years' time. The Mexican F1 driver has an expiring contract after 2024 and is all but certain of a spot with the current world champion in 2025. The six-time race winner is even keeping his options open for next year, in case Red Bull wants to get rid of him after all. Perez states this in a conversation with DAZN.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has regularly hinted that he is looking at all options for 2025, the first year Perez is out of contract with the Austrians. For next season, Red Bull's top brass repeated on several occasions, that Perez is 'just' under contract. Still, the Mexican is keeping all his options open, even if he has an ongoing contract. "If there is no place for me here in 2024, I will start looking at alternatives. I have to be in an environment where I can add something and if that is not here in 2024, I have to move on."
It should be noted that Perez made a mistake in the year during the interview, actually referring to a new contract after 2024.
Praise for Verstappen
The former McLaren and Racing Point driver, among others, realises he is driving alongside an extremely fast teammate. "He is the most complete driver on the grid. I have never seen such a good driver since I have been racing in Formula 1," stated Perez, who made his debut for Sauber in 2011. The Red Bull driver sets himself the goal of tapping the level of the Dutchman in the coming weeks: "That's what I'm going for." The Mexican finished second at Monza last weekend, behind teammate Verstappen. The gap with the championship leader currently stands at 145 points.