As the Formula 1 paddock buzzes with speculation about his future, Sergio Perez has delivered a defiant message: he’s confident he will stay with Red Bull Racing for 2025, pointing to the trust shown by the team in extending his contract earlier this year.
Perez, who started the 2024 season strongly with four podium finishes in the first five rounds, has since endured a challenging campaign. While teammate Max Verstappen soared to a fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, Perez has struggled, scoring a staggering 251 points fewer than Verstappen over 22 rounds.
Despite these setbacks and mounting scrutiny over his form, Perez remains resolute, citing Red Bull’s long-term investment in him as evidence of their confidence.
“The Team Has All the Information”
Speaking ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Perez stressed that the team is fully aware of the challenges he has faced with the RB20 and emphasized their ongoing commitment to improvement:
“There’s a reason why we extended my contract during the year,” Perez said. “The team has all the information. We know exactly where we are in terms of performance, the issues, and the difficulties we’ve had. We’re working really hard as a team to come back stronger next season.”
Perez has faced criticism for failing to capitalize on Red Bull’s championship-caliber machinery, particularly as rivals like McLaren and Ferrari have closed the performance gap. However, the Mexican driver has consistently pointed to struggles in extracting the maximum potential from the RB20.
“If You Can’t Extract 100%, It Doesn’t Matter How Good the Car Is”
Perez pushed back against external judgment, arguing that those outside the team fail to grasp the intricacies of his struggles:
“I think it’s very difficult for people to understand when they’re not part of the team on a daily basis. If you can’t extract 100% out of your car, it’s irrelevant how good the car is. That’s been my main issue over the last few months, and as a team, we’re working hard to fix it.”
The Mexican driver admitted to difficulties in qualifying, where he has failed to advance past Q1 in two of the last three sessions, but remains confident that these challenges can be resolved with time and collaboration.
Future at Red Bull Still Uncertain
Despite Perez’s confidence, speculation continues to swirl about his future. Red Bull’s reserve lineup includes Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto, while drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are also being touted as potential replacements. However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has yet to confirm Perez’s position for 2025 publicly.
Perez’s Road to Redemption
With just two races left in the 2024 season, including this weekend’s Qatar GP, Perez is under immense pressure to deliver strong performances and quiet the critics. While his seat for next year appears secure, a solid finish to the season could strengthen his case to remain part of Red Bull’s long-term plans.
For now, Perez is standing tall, insisting his experience and resilience will help him bounce back:
“I haven’t been at my best, but I’m determined to turn it around. Red Bull knows what I’m capable of, and I know I can deliver.”
The final two rounds of the season will serve as a litmus test for Perez’s resolve—and perhaps his future in Formula 1.
