Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing’s second driver, has had a strong start to the 2024 season after dropping back to 200 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen in the drivers standings in 2023. With his contract expiration date on the horizon, the season is extremely crucial for Checo to safeguard his racing career.
Despite criticism over his numbers in the past year, Red Bull has maintained that they’re ready to offer Sergio Perez an extension if he exceeds their expectations in terms of performance this year. However, Checo could face a massive setback in that pursuit as he faces an imminent risk of a race ban.
Sergio Perez’s Penalty Points Soar To Record High!
F1A has a procedure of giving penalty points to F1 drivers’ super license as a punishment for mistakes made by them or their respective teams on the track during the race. And in the latest penalty point sheet updated after the Chinese Grand Prix, Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is at risk of facing a race ban in the coming weeks. Checo has 8 points and is tied to Logan Sargeant as the driver with the most penalty points. As per FIA regulations, if a driver exceeds 12 points in 12-month period, he will be banned for one race. Once the 12-month period is over, the point sheet will reset to 0. Hence, Checo is four points away from getting banned this year.
Sergio Perez’s troubles began in the Singapore GP last season when he was found guilty of a collision with Alex Albon during the race at Marina Bay. In the following race in Japan, Perez was slapped with four penalty points for overtaking Fernando Alonso under Safety Car conditions and also for crashing into Kevin Magnussen. In the season finale race weekend in Abu Dhabi, Checo faced two additional penalty points due to a shunt with Lando Norris. And now, in Australia this year, the Mexican driver was handed penalty points for no mistake of his. Red Bull was deemed guilty of unsafe release in the pits during the driver’s mandatory pit stop. Hence, despite a strong start to the season, Perez is at risk of not only losing crucial points in the driver standing but also the constructors’ championship.
Checo Demands Long-Term Contract From Red Bull!
With his existing contract expiring at the end of the year, Red Bull Racing’s second driver, Sergio Perez, has sought a multi-year extension offer from the racing outfit. He says he deserves at least a two-year deal, keeping the 2026 regulation overhaul in mind. However, the team’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, has issued a stern warning to the Mexican driver.
He says 2026 regulation change would not be a key factor in contract extension negotiations with Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver has to perform and that will be the only parameter of judgement. Notably, Red Bull is also reportedly believed to be in contact with impending free agent Carlo Sainz as Marko confirmed that Audi has a much better deal to offer to Sainz.
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