Sergio Perez is adamant that the Belgian Grand Prix won’t be his last Formula 1 race with Red Bull amid consistent speculation that he could be replaced mid-season.
Perez has once again experienced a dramatic slump in competitiveness this term which has seen him accumulate a meagre 21 points across the previous six rounds.
Red Bull opted to grant him a contract extension last month in a bid to provide a much-needed confidence boost, but the Mexican has sustained consecutive Q1 exits.
Perez’s ongoing plight has seen rumours emerge that his contract contains performance-related clauses, with team-mate Max Verstappen situated 141 points ahead.
But while Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has stated his position will be reviewed over the summer break, Perez has denied this weekend is more decisive than others.
“It’s no different to what it was in Hungary or in Bahrain or how it will be in Zandvoort or the rest of the year,” Perez said.
“Every single weekend we’ve got to deliver the maximum, especially now that with McLaren catching up in the Constructors, it’s important to put everything together if we can achieve it.”
Asked whether he could answer that he is 100 per cent certain that Spa-Francorchamps won’t end up being his last outing with Red Bull, Perez replied: “Yes, correct.”
“I know basically what’s in my contract and I know what the team trusts in me,” he continued. “And I know where is the main focus, which is on delivering on the track.”
Perez revealed that he’s not reached out to Marko to discuss his comments as he repeated that he has complete support from the entire team to turn around his form.
“I haven’t spoken about that particular point [with Marko], I think,” he added.
“Like I said, I feel like the whole team is fully focused on getting back on track, on getting our season back on track. And the rest is pure speculation.
“The team is really working hard with me to get the season back on track.
“Winning the Constructors’ Championship, it’s all what we are working on. There hasn’t been any further discussions than getting our season back on track.”
The six-time F1 race winner insisted that acquiring clarification from Marko was not essential as he harbours zero concerns that Red Bull could drop him mid-season.
“I’m not worried about it,” Perez stressed regarding the speculation. “Like I said, I know where I stand. That’s not my concern.
“My only concern I have is to get my season back on track. The rest, I’m pretty chilled about.”
Perez claimed that the mounting pressure on his results was something that he has become accustomed to since he moved to Red Bull and hasn’t been a distraction.
“It’s how it is and I’m fine with it,” he reasoned. “I’m focused within the team to get the maximum out of the team, out of the car. The rest, like I said, it’s pure speculation.
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