Sergio Perez had a lot of highs and lows in the last season. He had a great start to the season but lost the momentum by mid-season. After winning a couple of races from the first four Grands Prix, Checo was well within the reach to contend for the title. But since the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, he started facing issues during the qualifying sessions. He even said the car felt completely different from the first four races. Throughout the mid-season, the Mexican driver struggled with several DNFs and trouble during the qualifying sessions. He even had to hire a mental coach to regain self-confidence.
There were several rumors about Red Bull replacing him soon with Daniel Ricciardo. Moreover, there were other possible replacements waiting for Checo as well. However, he had one more year to his contract with Red Bull. The Austrian team decided to wait and see how it goes in the 2024 season. Last year, they enjoyed their first-ever one-two finish of a season. But the gap between Checo and Max Verstappen was way too big. However, Sergio Perez had a great start to 2024. He is showing a pretty good consistency so far. Moreover, Perez feels that a “Quick conversation” is enough to extend his time with Red Bull.
Sergio Perez Expects A Quick Conversation To Resolve His F1 Future
Sergio Perez is one of several drivers without a contract for 2025. He knew that he would have to deal with immense pressure in 2024 as the teammate of Max Verstappen. Moreover, a lot of scrutiny came his way last year because of the big gap between him and his teammate. However, a strong start in 2024 helped the Mexican driver to ease the pressure and the scrutiny surrounding him. He had a fifth-place finish in Australia, whereas Max had a DNF. But in the other three rounds, Max and Checo finished one-two. After finishing at the podium in Japan, the Mexican driver mentioned that he should have clarity over his F1 future within a month.
Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Aston Martin announced Fernando Alonso will stay with them till 2026. The Spaniard has been a strong contender for replacing Checo at Red Bull. Now, that’s one less thing Sergio Perez needs to worry about. Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Checo joked that every week the contender is changing. Anyhow, he knows that it is normal as drivers who have not signed yet will be contenders. Moreover, Sergio Perez said he is optimistic about his future with Red Bull. They have been together “Already for a few years.” Hence, Checo predicts a quick conversation should be enough to know which direction things are going. Since everybody wants to continue, Perez feels it is only a matter of time.
Who Else Is A Contender To Replace Checo, Now That Alonso Is Out Of The Race?
Carlos Sainz Jr. is the biggest name out there at the moment after Aston Martin announced Fernando Alonso is staying till 2026 with them. But the other spaniard, Carlos Sainz is without a contract for 2025 at present. However, he has been the only non-Red Bull driver since last year to win one or more races. Moreover, he is aware of the Red Bull atmosphere and what it feels to be a teammate of Max Verstappen.
After all, Max and Carlos were teammates for Torro Rosso. Besides the two Spaniards, Daniel Ricciardo has been a strong contender for Checo’s replacement. But the Aussie did not have a great start to the 2024 season. That lowers his expectations to regain a Red Bull seat again. On the other hand, Sergio Perez is only 13 points behind Max Verstappen ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
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