Sergio Perez continues to be a harmonious teammate to Max Verstappen, in contrast to Carlos Sainz.
Red Bull Racing hired Perez to partner with Verstappen in 2021. Since then, the Mexican driver has continued to compete for the Milton Keynes-based team. However, rumors have surfaced suggesting that the Austrian team may seek a replacement for Checo after a disappointing season in 2023. With Sainz emerging as a strong contender after signing with Ferrari for 2025.
Sainz currently finds himself without a seat for the next year. The Spanish driver reportedly missed Audi’s deadline to accept a lucrative offer from the German manufacturer to race for Sauber before taking over the team in 2026. At 29 years old, Sainz wants a car capable of winning races in 2025, which would not be feasible at Sauber.
On the other hand, Perez is eager to secure a contract extension with Red Bull. However, the team allegedly rejected the Mexican driver’s initial proposal. Nevertheless, Perez remains hopeful of extending his stay with the team. It seems that renewing with Checo would be a better move for Red Bull than reuniting with Sainz next season.
Sergio Perez has played a subordinate role to Verstappen. This season, the 34-year-old driver has shown improvement with four second-place finishes behind his teammate. Although the Mexican driver initially had aspirations of challenging Verstappen, it appears that he has accepted his position as the team’s number 2 in Milton Keynes.
Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, may not be inclined to settle for that role. The Spanish driver joined Ferrari in 2021 and immediately competed against his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Leclerc was considered the team’s focal point in Maranello. However, Sainz consistently outperformed the Monegasque driver and secured the team’s only two victories since 2023.
It is evident that Max Verstappen could face a real threat from Sainz. The two had a tense relationship during their debut season at Toro Rosso (now Red Bull). However, Verstappen outperformed the Spaniard with impressive results. Red Bull may be compelled to implement team orders, which could further increase tensions and worsen the situation.
Therefore, it would be in Red Bull’s interest to continue with Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver has overcome his challenges and now serves as the ideal teammate for Max Verstappen. Compared to Carlos Sainz, the 34-year-old driver would avoid any conflict with the Dutch driver. However, if circumstances change in the coming weeks, Milton Keynes may take a risk.
