'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez has dropped a hint about his future in Formula 1. The Mexican driver has spoken about his potential exit from the motorsport in an interview.
Perez's performance has not been up to the mark since the beginning of the 2024 F1 season. After a decent start, the #11 racer has not been able to challenge rivals such as Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Charles Leclerc. Adding to his disadvantage has been the below-par performance of the RB20.
This has resulted in the 34-year-old slipping to eighth place in the drivers' championship. With Liam Lawson preparing to replace Daniel Ricciardo at VCARB (Red Bull Racing's sister team), Sergio Perez's future is also under the miscroscope.
With rumors swirling, Perez has decided to open up about the issue in an exclusive interview with DAZN.
"These last six months I thought about it, but it took me three seconds to make the decision. In the end, it would be the easy route, after so many years to go out and kind of give up. I would never have forgiven myself. I want to finish my career when I want to and not when someone tells me. That's my main focus: to get to the point where I can decide my future," Perez commented.
"With 24 races a year, the calendar is complicated, but at least two more years I will be there. However, I don't see myself much longer in Formula 1."
The aforementioned statement by Sergio Perez was also shared on X by an F1-focused platform. Here's a look at the post:
“I am really happy to commit my future to this great team" - Sergio Perez praised Red Bull Racing after two-year contract extension
Despite struggling throughout the 2024 season, Sergio Perez got a two-year extension contract from Red Bull Racing in June this year. The Mexican driver is set to continue racing for the Austrian team till the end of 2026.
“I am really happy to commit my future to this great team. It is a challenge like no other racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, both on track and off track. I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together and contribute to this team’s great history for two more years. Being part of the team is an immense challenge, and one I love," Perez said.
Perez has had a dismal season since the Emilia Romagna GP, finishing consistently outside of the top five. He has also had three DNFs, further adding to the cost for the Milton-Keyes-based squad in the strict cost-cap era of F1.
Despite the challenges, Red Bull Racing offered the Mexican a two-year extension, likely trusting his ability to bounce back.
“I want to thank everyone for all the trust they are putting in me, it is a lot and I want to pay it back with excellent results on track, and off track. I think we have a lot of work to do, we have a lot more championships to win together,” Perez said at the time.
With 144 points acquired in 18 races so far this season, Sergio Perez is 187 points behind his teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen.
