Sergio Perez Still Red Bull’s First Option For 2025

Sergio Perez
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 15: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 15, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309150444 // Usage for editorial use only //
Sergio Perez
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 15: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 15, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309150444 // Usage for editorial use only //

Sergio Perez is Red Bull’s “first option” to serve as Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2025.

Recent rumours suggested the Mexican driver had actually turned down a single-year offer, counter-proposing at least a two year deal including 2026.

“Nothing has been signed yet and it’s not the time to think about the contract now, my focus is on this weekend,” Perez, 34, said at Monaco.

The good news for Perez is that he’s still in the running, despite struggling through a particularly difficult weekend at Imola a week ago.

“Talks are ongoing and Checo is still our first option,” Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

“We want to have clarity on this before the summer break, even if we are certainly not putting any pressure on ourselves.”

A theoretical alternative is Yuki Tsunoda, who continues to impress at the junior RB squad. “He is of course also part of the talks,” Marko confirmed.

“In general, we have options in his contract to tie him down for several years.”

Some believe the real hold-up is because Red Bull is nervous that Verstappen might tire of the team’s ongoing internal conflict and join Adrian Newey in prematurely jumping ship.

“It’s quite a change,” the triple world champion admitted to Bloomberg. “It’s really a shame that Adrian is leaving the team.

“But I completely trust the team for the future. The confidence is very high and I look forward to the coming years.”

Verstappen has consistently said that his only real requirement is that he sits in the fastest car possible. So does that mean he’s suddenly looking at McLaren and Ferrari, who are steadily closing the gap on Red Bull?

“Well, it doesn’t work like that,” he smiled at Monaco. “I mean, I think we still have a very, very fast car. So I’m happy where I’m at.”

Toto Wolff’s hope, however, is that Verstappen may be nervous about Honda’s looming departure and Red Bull’s ability to produce its own engine for 2026.

“There’s so much investment going on with the engine side of things,” the Dutchman insists. “And I’m happy.

“I mean, I think if you start thinking like that, you could almost change teams every single race. But it’s not on my mind.”

However, the internal conflict could ramp up again at Red Bull, given that Max’s father Jos, and team co-owner Mark Mateschitz, are both expected at Monaco this weekend.

“Let’s see how it goes for us here,” Marko said at Monaco. “The gap is shrinking and we’ve had problems in practice and qualifying lately.

“For me, (Ferrari’s Charles) Leclerc is one of the main favourites because he was always incredibly fast here and often had bad luck, so he will be extremely motivated to have a say in the victory.”

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

Los Angeles Premiere Of Sony Pictures' 'bullet Train'

Lights, Camera, Apex: Brad Pitt’s F1 Masterclass Earns Lewis Hamilton’s Seal of Approval

In a thrilling fusion of Hollywood glamour and high-octane racing, ...
Formula 1 Testing In Bahrain Day 3

Tsunoda Would Have Struggled With Verstappen ‘Pressure’

Yuki Tsunoda could struggle to remain in Formula 1 after ...
F1 75 Live Press Conference

Adrian Newey Hasn’t Worked On 2025 Aston Martin At All – Cowell

Adrian Newey is yet to work his fabled magic on ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Australia Previews

Flexi-Wing Clampdown Could Benefit Verstappen – Marko

The mid-season wing flexibility clampdown could actually benefit Max Verstappen ...
Motor Racing Williams Racing Fw47 Launch

Carlos Sainz Admits His Father is “Still Disappointed” He Turned Down Audi

Carlos Sainz admits his father is "still disappointed" the ousted ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle