Sergio Perez has opened up about his decision to extend his contract with Red Bull, which ultimately resulted in Christian Horner parting ways with Daniel Ricciardo. Despite a tough season, with disappointing performances at both the Mexico Grand Prix and Brazil, Perez remains determined in his commitment to the team.
The 34-year-old driver has struggled with his form this season, dropping to 8th place in the standings, over 200 points behind teammate Max Verstappen. As Red Bull’s constructor ranking slips, Perez faces increasing scrutiny from the team. However, he defended his decision to stay, revealing that he turned down two opportunities to join rival teams, choosing instead to continue as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull.
“I had an opportunity, two opportunities, to change teams,” Perez explained. “But I love the challenge I have at Red Bull. It’s a massive challenge being Max’s teammate. It trains you for all of it. I want to spend the last part of my career at the very top, where the pressure is full-on.”
Perez’s decision to extend his contract had significant consequences within Red Bull, particularly for Daniel Ricciardo. After Perez’s contract renewal, Ricciardo, the oldest second-tier driver in the team, found himself replaced by young talent Liam Lawson. With Ricciardo out, Horner is now facing the challenge of revitalizing the team with fresh drivers.
Christian Horner has been weighing Perez’s future, with several names, including Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto, being linked to the seat for next season. Despite the pressure, Perez remains unfazed by the rumors and speculation, explaining that negative talk is a common part of the sport.
“It’s part of the culture of the team and the sport,” Perez said. “There’s always talk when you go through a difficult period. But at the end of the day, 90% of the grid would have loved to have my career. You only think about the next race, the next challenge.”
As Red Bull evaluates its options for the 2025 season, Perez continues to focus on the challenges ahead, staying committed to his role within the team.
