Sergio Perez knows he needs to put in four of the best performances of his Formula 1 career to shut down suggestions that he could lose his seat at Red Bull – provided he’s given that long by the Anglo-Austrian outfit. Red Bull offered Sergio Perez a new contract that could technically run until the end of the 2026 F1 season ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The Mexican driver was on a poor run of form, but it was felt that removing the pressure of worrying about his immediate future would help him achieve the results Red Bull needed to retain their Constructors’ Championship crown and help Max Verstappen win a fourth straight driver’s title.
What has happened since has only given team principal Christian Horner an even bigger headache to deal with. Perez is yet to score a podium since signing a new deal that might be harder for Red Bull to terminate, while also watching their lead in the team standings ebb away to such an extent, that they’re now third in the championship. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesThe 34-year-old driver was hoping that a return to his home race at the Mexico City Grand Prix would improve his fortunes.
However, his qualifying was disastrous, he picked up a penalty for missing his grid box and picked up damage in a battle with Liam Lawson that ended any hopes of him scoring points. Journalist Ian Parkes shared on the RacingNews365 podcast what he spotted Perez doing that suggested he was saying farewell to Formula 1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. It won’t quash any of the rumours suggesting Perez may not see out the rest of this season, let alone return to his home race in 2025.
Sergio Perez’s Mexican Grand Prix actions that suggest he might be saying ‘farewell’ to Formula 1Reflecting on the six-time race winner’s weekend, Parkes said: “From what I gather, Christian in his post-race press conference would not nail shut the possibility that there could be a change before the end of the season. “Checo Perez, very much both before and after the Mexico City Grand Prix looked like a driver that was pretty much saying farewell to his fans. “I mean, I recall his comment when he was interviewed pre-race and he was standing in the stadium section and he turned around and said, it’s at moments like these where I look back on my career and I thank all the fans that have supported me.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname“It was like, that sounded very much like a farewell speech in my book. Is it a farewell speech that he’s going now with four races to go? “Or is it a farewell speed that this is it, this is his final season with Red Bull and almost likely his final season in Formula 1 because there’s nowhere else to go.
”What Sergio Perez’s father said after the Mexico City Grand Prix after ‘world champion’ claimSergio Perez’s father Antonio Perez Garibay has been quite outspoken across the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. In build-up to the race, Perez Sr. said he believed Sergio Perez could still be an F1 world champion, despite his recent struggles.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford linksThis also suggested that Perez wasn’t going anywhere despite the stories surrounding his future. However, Perez’s father shared a message about Sergio after the race that was much more circumspect. He celebrated the 34-year-old’s career from the first race to his 281st on Sunday and if things don’t improve quickly for the Red Bull driver, then he may end up one season away from reaching the 300-race mark.
