Sergio Perez’s father has addressed the exit rumours surrounding the Mexican after another disappointing outing for Red Bull. The saga surrounding his future in Formula 1 has been ongoing throughout this season, following a turning point midway through the year. Perez triggered a break clause in his Red Bull contract because he fell too far behind Max Verstappen in the points tally before the summer break, leading some to question if he would return.

Daniel Ricciardo was tipped to be a replacement but he was also suffering from a few unconvincing performances, with Red Bull eventually keeping Perez onboard while Visa CashApp RB dropped the Australian in favour of Liam Lawson. It is now speculated that the drive at RB is being used as an audition from Lawson, although so far he has incurred criticism from fellow drivers for his conduct on track including Fernando Alonso and most recently Perez. Perez’s father, Antonio Pérez Diputado, originally made a post on social media after the Mexican GP that appeared to confirm that it was his son’s last race.

But a follow-up on Instagram appears to clarify his remarks. Sergio Perez’s father clarifies remarks on social media over Mexican’s futureThe original post talked about the ‘end of the movie’ and that it was Perez’s ‘last race’ which could have been taken as an imminent retirement announcement. Martin Brundle felt Sergio Perez had driven his last Mexican GP for Red Bull while speaking on Sky Sports during the race weekend, given the stable of drivers waiting to be promoted at Red Bull.

Another post made by Perez Snr informs fans not to ‘get confused’ and expects to see a Mexican driver in F1 for ‘many more years’. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Antonio Pérez Diputado (@aperezgaribay)View Instagram Post“Don’t get confused Mexico, [we] will have Mexican pilot in Formula 1 for many more years. Since he was a child they want to let him out badly but thanks to that they’ve made him stronger.

”Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesChristian Horner’s comments at Mexico GP put Sergio Perez future in doubtPerez finished the Mexican GP in last place following a collision with Lawson earlier in the race which caused significant damage to his sidepod. According to journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm, Red Bull did not seem ‘bothered’ by Lawson hitting Perez despite it potentially costing them second in the Constructors’ Championship to Ferrari. Christian Horner said Perez had to finish in the points in Mexico to secure his future at Red Bull, and while he was not entirely to blame for the outcome, his poor qualifying will come under the spotlight when it comes to decisions being made.

Perez will likely see out the remainder of the season if Red Bull does not make any decision prior to the Brazilian GP, given there is only three races left in the year after that anyway.