Sergio Perez has doubled down on his commitment to Red Bull, revealing that he turned down two separate team offers to stick with the Milton Keynes squad. Despite a rocky season that has left him a staggering 242 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen, Perez insists he’s determined to end his F1 career at Red Bull.
Amid mounting speculation about his future, with Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko hinting that Perez’s seat will be up for discussion post-season, Perez opened up about his choice to stay. In an interview with GQ magazine, the Mexican driver explained his deep-seated desire to remain with a team he believes challenges him at the highest level.
“It’s how the sport is,” Perez said. “You have one, two bad races, and there’s a lot of talk. It’s part of the culture at Red Bull—the contract talks, the speculation—it’s just part of the game.”
Turning Down Temptation: Two Teams Approached Perez
Perez disclosed that two rival teams reached out with offers, but he opted to remain with Red Bull, citing the unique challenges that come with being Verstappen’s teammate. “I had an opportunity, two opportunities, to change teams,” Perez shared. “But I thought about it and realized how much I enjoy the challenge at Red Bull. It’s a massive challenge being Max’s teammate, and that alone prepares you for everything.”
Having spent most of his career in the midfield before joining Red Bull, Perez emphasized his desire to stay “at the top” as he winds down his time in Formula 1. “I want to spend the last part of my career at the very top, with all the pressure that comes with it,” he explained. “I know that 90% of the grid would love to have had my career.”
A Rough Season But Signs of Progress?
Perez’s 2024 season has been fraught with setbacks, including a recent spin at the Brazilian GP that left him out of the points once again. Still, he believes there are signs of improvement. Reflecting on his weekend at Interlagos, Perez stated, “In terms of pace, it was one of the strongest weekends we’ve had. We were very competitive from FP1. We may have lost a bit of momentum, but it feels like it’s coming back.”
With his contract secured through 2026 but his seat under scrutiny, Perez is resolved to prove his worth in the final races of the season. Whether he can hold onto his spot alongside Verstappen remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Sergio Perez isn’t ready to give up his place at the top without a fight.
