After the lackluster performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is still under the radar of team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko. His contract is set to expire by the conclusion of the upcoming season in 2024 and there is no news on the proceedings of a contract extension apart from verbal acknowledgment. The driver’s seat on the team is at threat as the recently wounded driver Daniel Ricciardo wishes to bag a solid spot on the team.
However, in a virtual interaction with fans, the Mexican driver expressed his desire to be Max Verstappen’s teammate until 2026 and beyond. Perez said he wants to “test the new regulations“. He seems to believe the notion that his partnership with Red Bull is not going to be the contract he signs. Given his high aspirations for the team and the boss, Horner seems to have waved a green flag on the matter.
⚠️ | 🇲🇽 During a virtual Q&A with fans today, Checo has confirmed his desire to stay in F1 beyond 2026, to “test the new regulations”.
He said he’s sure this [his current contract with Red Bull] won’t be his last F1 contract.
[@scuderiabellas / @97ggukth] #F1 pic.twitter.com/V0vcTYMTl1
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) August 29, 2023
In light of the significant performance gap between Perez and Verstappen this year, rumors concerning the former’s professional future continue to circulate. The enormous gap in their performance levels has been identified by the Dutchman’s massive success, as is shown by his historic nine straight victories. It has been generally assumed that Daniel Ricciardo’s comeback is a possible inquiry for the Mexican’s spot on the team.
Will Perez ever live up to Max Verstappen?
With an impressive 201 points into the championship standings, Sergio Perez’s performance in comparison to the two-time defending champion is overshadowed by an alarming margin. While Perez proved his ability at times on the track, there has also been a time when he failed to qualify for Q3 for five straight races. At the same time, his teammate often gets the most out of the Red Bull equipment.
pic.twitter.com/oybL1skF5Y Sergio Perez’ penalty (speeding in pitlane) that cost him a podium in Zandvoort #DutchGP
— Rindi Putra (@rindiputra) August 27, 2023
With victories in 11 of the first 13 races of the 2023 season, Max Verstappen established himself as the clear leader. Although, according to Horner, Verstappen and Perez are the only other drivers to have won Grand Prix races this year so the latter has the potential to win one soon with the team. The Briton is confident that Perez will add to his collection of victories before the season’s conclusion.
As the teams are headed to the race at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix in the coming weekend, Red Bull is setting up the standards for both their drivers, especially Sergio Perez. After the blunders with the downpour at Zandvoort, the driver seems to be confident of the upcoming races having possession of one of the best cars on the grid, the RB19.