Red Bull has confirmed a two-year contract extension for Sergio Perez, ensuring he remains with the team through the 2025 and 2026 Formula 1 seasons. The 34-year-old Mexican driver, who joined Red Bull in 2021, will continue to race alongside Max Verstappen. Perez’s renewal closes the door for other hopefuls, including Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo, who had aspirations of joining the reigning world champions.
“Now is an important time to confirm our line-up for 2025, and we are very pleased to continue working together with Checo,” stated team principal Christian Horner ahead of the Canadian GP. “Continuity and stability are crucial for the team, and both Checo and Max form a successful and robust partnership, securing our first ever one-two finish in the championship last year.”
Perez, who has secured five of his six F1 career wins at Red Bull, expressed his delight at the extension: “I am thrilled to stay here and continue our journey together, contributing to this team’s great history for two more years. Being part of this team is a tremendous challenge, one that I love. We have a great challenge this year, and I fully trust the whole team that the future is bright here. I am excited to be part of it.”
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2028 season, although there is ongoing speculation that he might leave before then, with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff expressing interest in signing the Dutchman as a potential replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
Perez’s contract extension signifies Red Bull’s commitment to continuity, especially with the upcoming regulation changes in 2026, when Red Bull will develop their own engine for the first time. Perez has had a strong start to the 2024 season, finishing second to Verstappen in three of the first four races. However, recent races have seen a dip in his performance, with no podium finishes in the last three races and failing to qualify in the top 10 at the last two.
Despite his recent challenges, Horner remains confident in Perez: “Checo has had a strong start to 2024, with second places in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, and his podium in China. The past few races have been tough, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance.”
Perez’s contract extension also affects the broader driver market. Carlos Sainz, who lost his Ferrari seat to Hamilton, will now have to choose between Williams and Sauber, who are set to become Audi in 2026. Ricciardo, who had hoped to return to the senior Red Bull team, has been outperformed by his RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda, affecting his chances. Tsunoda, despite his strong performance, has not been considered for the main Red Bull team but has been linked to potential moves to other teams.
Overall, Red Bull’s decision to extend Perez’s contract reflects their strategy to maintain stability and continuity as they continue to compete at the highest level of Formula 1.
Credit: Sky Sports
