Sergio Pérez’s agreement with Red Bull is set to expire at the end of this year.
Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen and Antonio Perez (Via: Imago)
has been under intense scrutiny since his disappointing second half of the 2023 season. Consequently, fans and experts suggested that the Mexican should be dismissed by Red Bull in favor of other drivers. However, such theories have not been well-received by Red Bull, who has defended Sergio Pérez amidst the rumors circulating in the paddock.
Sergio Pérez has consistently been on the verge of being dropped by Red Bull over the past two seasons. Nevertheless, he has managed to retain his seat even during challenging times, and his 2024 season appears to be progressing smoothly, potentially securing him another contract with the Austrian team. However, the paddock has not left him alone due to the sudden rise in Carlos Sainz’s performance, and Formula 1 experts have called for the 34-year-old to be replaced by the speedy Spaniard.
However, Sergio Pérez’s father, Antonio Pérez, holds a different opinion on the matter and has praised his son for his performances.
Sergio Pérez’s father has stated that he is the “most sought-after driver” in Formula 1. Despite being a six-time grand prix winner, Pérez’s contract with Red Bull is set to expire at the end of the season, and he has expressed his expectation for his future to be… pic.twitter.com/0iKe72HySc
The 64-year-old appeared to be infuriated by the speculations and asserted that his son will remain on the grid for another 10 years. He further claimed that Sergio is the most highly desired driver on the Formula 1 grid and is the best choice for Red Bull moving forward.
This firm stance of Antonio Pérez has led fans to believe that he is merely defending his son even after being criticized by others. However, the Red Bull management remains optimistic about Pérez’s performance and is satisfied with his recent strong performances, which could potentially help him retain his seat with Red Bull for a longer period.
The 2023 season was a test of patience for Pérez. Red Bull’s team principal, known for his lack of tolerance, could be considered lenient for not taking severe action against Pérez just yet.
Recently, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko claimed that the 34-year-old driver started performing well because he gave up on the idea of winning the world championship.
Marko revealed that the six-time Grand Prix winner attempted to match Verstappen’s performance in 2023 by constantly adjusting the car’s setup. However, to his dismay, this strategy did not work in Pérez’s favor as the performance gap between him and Verstappen widened significantly. As a result, Pérez decided to abandon the fight against his championship-winning teammate and instead followed the setup he had chosen.
This decision has resulted in Pérez closing the gap to the 26-year-old driver in races and has impressed Marko with his performances. Furthermore, the Formula 1 circus will visit Miami next, and Pérez believes that he will be a strong contender for victory in the upcoming race. Many eyes will be on the Red Bulls as they navigate the free-flowing Miami racing circuit.