Sergio Perez has insisted that he will continue to remain a Red Bull driver in Formula 1 in 2025, despite heightening rumours that the team has chosen to replace him.
Perez comes into this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi with reports suggesting that Red Bull has elected to cut ties with him amid a wretched campaign in 2024.
The Mexican has endured a disastrous season which sees him lag a seismic 277 points behind team-mate Max Verstappen, who sealed the title with two races to go.
However, Perez’s third point-less return in four races last time out in Qatar has ensured that Red Bull is no longer in contention to win the Constructors’ Championship.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner expressed post-race that the team would enable Perez to “come to his own conclusions” concerning what happens with his prospects.
But while it has been touted that RB’s Liam Lawson will seize his place, Perez is adamant that his contract to drive alongside Verstappen next season won’t be broken.
“Nothing has changed since before in terms of what I’ve said for the entire year,” Perez told media including Motorsport Week.
“I’ve got a contract for next year and I will be driving for Red Bull next year.”
Asked whether he could 100 per cent guarantee he will be at the season-opener in Australia next March, Perez replied: “I already said, mate. Nothing further to add.
“I have a contract for next year.”
Perez reiterated there was a reason that Red Bull decided to hand him a contract extension earlier this term when asked whether he retains the backing of the bosses.
“I think it’s just important to stay together,” he explained.
“The season hasn’t been the greatest, but, at the end of the day, there’s a reason why they renewed me and they know I can still do it and that’s the important factor.”
Perez denies Red Bull title loss down to him alone
Perez also contended that Red Bull being guaranteed to relinquish a hold on the Constructors’ Championship that it has had since 2022 isn’t down to his results alone.
“Of course I take responsibility, but also I don’t feel it’s all down to one person,” he argued.
“I’m obviously part of a big organisation, a big team, and it’s very unfortunate we did not fight any harder for the Constructors’.”
Perez not focused on internal review
Meanwhile, the six-time F1 race winner emphasised that his attention was on concluding the season on a high amid the impending review into his position next week.
“For me, it’s just important to focus on the weekend.
“Give the best possible I can for the team to really try and prove to the whole group of the team that we can do it. I think that’s the main objective for the weekend.”
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