Sergio Perez insists that he can be racing for Crimson Bull in System 1 subsequent season, regardless of hypothesis he might be axed after a workforce assembly on Monday.
The Mexican has had a difficult second half of the season, together with his finest consequence being sixth place within the Dutch Grand Prix straight after the summer season break.
However a serious drop in tempo in current races, allied to standout moments like his sluggish getaway from the pits within the Qatar GP dash race and a spin behind the protection automotive in the principle race, has led to questions over his future.
Crimson Bull chiefs are as a result of meet on the Monday after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to resolve on their driver line-up for 2025, and there are rising suspicions that the squad desires to interchange Perez with one in every of RB’s present line-up of Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda.
Talking after Qatar, Crimson Bull workforce boss Christian Horner prompt that Perez was totally conscious of the place issues had been.
“It is not an pleasing state of affairs for Checo being on this place with hypothesis each week,” he stated. “He is sufficiently old and sensible sufficient to know what the state of affairs is and let’s have a look at the place we’re after Abu Dhabi.”
Nonetheless, the state of affairs just isn’t so easy as a result of Perez has a contract in place as a part of a deal that was reached earlier within the yr.
Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing RB20
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
And whereas there are understood to be break clauses within the deal, there’ll nonetheless probably should be some type of business settlement reached for his or her partnership to finish.
However Perez appeared defiant forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Thursday as he made clear he noticed his future at Crimson Bull.
“Nothing has modified since earlier than by way of what I’ve stated for the whole yr,” he stated. “I bought a contract for subsequent yr and I can be driving for Crimson Bull subsequent yr.”
Requested if he was 100% positive that might be the case, Perez replied: “I already stated, mate, nothing additional so as to add. I’ve a contract for subsequent yr so nothing additional so as to add.”
Perez stated that he was conscious of the rumours that his place was underneath risk in Monday’s assembly, however reckoned the state of affairs was unchanged inside the workforce.
“To be trustworthy I have never been a lot into it for positive. I’ve seen the rumours however nothing totally different to the final couple of months.
“In that regard nothing additional so as to add. I already stated it within the final six months, that I am right here. I renewed with the workforce earlier within the yr and I am right here to be the driving force for the workforce subsequent yr and it is the place my full focus is.”
Requested if he felt he nonetheless had the total assist of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, Perez stated: “I feel it is simply essential to remain in it collectively as a result of, like I stated, the season hasn’t been the best.
Christian Horner, Group Principal, Crimson Bull Racing, talks with Helmut Marko, Advisor, Crimson Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
“However, on the finish of the day, there is a purpose why they renewed me, they usually know that I nonetheless can do it and that is an essential issue.”
Whereas the outcomes haven’t been promising not too long ago, Perez feels that issues have began to really feel higher within the automotive and that has led to a rise in confidence.
“I imply, I feel it has been coming for some time,” he stated. “There’s been a number of indicators in the previous couple of races, however for some purpose or one other one we simply cannot get it multi function.
“So I’ll actually preserve pushing for this last race to actually attempt to end the season on a excessive as a result of on the finish of the day, it is all the time good to go house with a great consequence.”
Photographs from Abu Dhabi GP Thursday
On this article
Jonathan Noble
System 1
Sergio Perez
Crimson Bull Racing
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