Sergio Pérez is out of contract on the finish of this 12 months however has been 'launched' after some good ends in his opening 4 campaigns; F1 returns to Shanghai for the primary time in 5 years for the Chinese language Grand Prix on April 19-21, stay on Sky Sports activities F1
6:48 AM, United Kingdom, Thursday 11 April 2024
Sergio Pérez believes he may have readability on his F1 future “in a month”, however workforce principal Christian Horner says Pink Bull is “in no huge rush” to finalize its 2025 driver line-up.
Perez is one in every of 12 drivers and not using a contract for subsequent 12 months, however has loved a robust begin to the season with three second locations from 4 races, together with his final podium coming in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
The Mexican entered the season underneath stress to maintain his place after a largely disappointing second half of 2023, the place he was typically a good distance from Pink Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso are among the many drivers out of contract on the finish of this 12 months and each have been linked with Pink Bull.
Nonetheless, Perez seems to be doing every part he can to maintain his place alongside Verstappen, whose present contract expires in 2028.
“I'm very relaxed about it. It's my 14th season in F1. No matter comes, I'm actually proud of what I've executed within the sport up to now and I imagine will probably be a matter of time,” stated Perez. Sky Sports activities F1.
“The driving force market is shifting and there's positively going to be a number of motion within the subsequent few weeks. I anticipate in a month I'll actually know what I'm doing subsequent 12 months.”
Horner: Just a few extra races earlier than we take into consideration 2025
Perez certified simply 0.066s behind pole-sitter Verstappen earlier than making a pleasant run within the race on a two-stop technique the place he wanted to overhaul a number of automobiles.
His two strikes on the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in a fast left hand flick on the 130R have been highlights on his approach to second place.
Daniel Ricciardo's disappointing begin to the season at Pink Bull's sister workforce RB has definitely helped Perez's probabilities of conserving his place and Horner says his driver must “sustain with what he's doing”.
“The entire driver market appears to be very early this 12 months,” Horner stated.
“Everybody appears to be in a rush and we've solely acquired 4 races to go earlier than the tip of the 12 months. We're not in an enormous rush and there's clearly a number of curiosity in our automobiles as you'd anticipate.”
“Checo is the precedence and will probably be just a few extra races earlier than we begin fascinated by subsequent 12 months.
Perez has not gained a race for the reason that Azerbaijan Grand Prix 12 months in the past, Verstappen has gained 20 races in that point.
Pink Bull's three first-place finishes from the opening 4 occasions gave it a 21-point lead over Ferrari within the Constructors' Cup.
If Ferrari can strategy or match Pink Bull later within the season, Perez's performances shall be key for the workforce to safe a 3rd consecutive constructors' title.
Horner stated on the Australian Grand Prix in March that “typically it’s important to look exterior the pool” when discussing who shall be Verstappen's team-mate in 2025, however at Suzuka he confirmed clear assist for Perez, who’s “very talked-about” within the workforce in response to the boss of Pink Bull.
“It's his place to lose. He's doing an amazing job and certified inside a tenth of a second of Max. It was by far his greatest qualifying efficiency at Suzuka,” added Horner. Sky Sports activities F1.
“You may see his confidence is rising. His efficiency within the race was very sturdy once more. He's doing precisely what he's been requested to do.”
Horner reveals the misplaced wager to Perez – who owed Ecclestone
Pérez had his greatest qualifying efficiency in virtually a 12 months when he began second on Sunday, giving Pink Bull their first front-row exit for the reason that 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner revealed he wager Perez to get on the entrance row, which the Mexican gained by qualifying second.
“I wager him as a result of his greatest qualifying efficiency right here was P4, so I wager him to place it on the entrance row,” he stated.
“One way or the other after he gained the wager he informed me he owed Bernie Ecclestone precisely the identical amount of cash so he handed the wager on to Bernie who was the recipient of Chec's first row. So expensive previous Bernie continues to be earning profits regardless that he's not even right here!”
Subsequent up is the return of the Chinese language Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can also be the primary dash weekend of the season. You may watch each session stay on Sky Sports activities F1 and steam each F1 race and extra with NOW Sports activities Month membership – No contract, cancel anytime
Commercial content material | Stream Sky Sports activities NOW
Stream Sky Sports activities stay with no month-to-month or every day membership contract NOW. Immediate entry to stay motion from the Premier League, EFL, F1, English cricket, tennis and far more.