Sergio Perez’s tumultuous 2024 F1 season ended in frustration and uncertainty, as the Mexican driver retired early from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and admitted that his future with Red Bull will be determined in the “coming days.”
The race at Yas Marina Circuit was just two corners old when Perez’s hopes of delivering a strong finale were dashed.
Valtteri Bottas’s Sauber struck Perez’s car at Turn 6, sending the Red Bull into a spin and a subsequent retirement further down the road. But even before the contact, Perez suspected something was amiss with his car.
“I didn’t see Valtteri,” Perez explained after the race. “As I was doing the corner, I was hit very late on the rear. Then I lost drive.
“But I think the drive was already an issue before that because every time I was shifting up, I was losing drive, so I think there was something related to that already.”
Perez’s DNF capped a difficult season marked by underwhelming performances and intense scrutiny regarding his future with Red Bull.
Despite starting the year strongly, with multiple podiums, the second half of the season saw his form dip dramatically while the performances gap between himself and his teammate Max Verstappen only highlighted his shortfall and inconsistencies, leading to speculation that his seat might be under threat.
The early retirement on Sunday robbed Perez of an opportunity to prove his worth to Red Bull one last time this year, intensifying the focus on his future.
When asked about his status heading into 2025, Perez didn’t mince words.
“At the moment I don’t know. I just know I’ve got a contract to race next year. Unless something changes in the coming days, that’s going to be the situation next year.”
Perez’s remarks reflected the uncertainty surrounding his role at Red Bull. Speculation has grown that team bosses Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have been exploring other options for the second seat, a question Perez deftly redirected: “That’s something you’ll have to ask them.”
Earlier in the year, Perez signed a multi-year contract extension with Red Bull, which theoretically secures his seat through 2025.
However, Red Bull’s management has hinted at alternative plans, including moving Perez into an ambassadorial role. The Mexican, however, firmly dismissed any notion of stepping aside voluntarily.
When asked if he’d consider resigning, Perez was unequivocal: “No.” Instead, the 34-year-old insisted that discussions with the team will soon clarify his standing.
“I think at the moment I’ve got a contract which I signed earlier in the year to race for the team for the next two years,” he said. “So we’ll see what happens and how the conversation goes in the coming days.”
Liam Lawson, who has impressed in limited substitute appearances with sister outfit RB, has reportedly been earmarked as Perez’s most likely successor, while Isack Hadjar would fill the Kiwi’s seat at RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
For now, Perez’s future hangs in the balance, with the coming days expected to bring clarity.
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