Sergio Pérez is out of contract on the finish of this yr 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 can have readability on his F1 future “in a month”, however staff principal Christian Horner says Purple Bull is “in no huge rush” to finalize its 2025 driver line-up.
Perez is one in all 12 drivers with no contract for subsequent yr, however has loved a powerful begin to the season with three second locations from 4 races, along 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 Purple 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 yr and each have been linked with Purple Bull.
Nevertheless, Perez seems to be doing the whole lot 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 performed within the sport to this point and I consider it will likely be a matter of time,” stated Perez. Sky Sports activities F1.
“The driving force market is transferring and there's undoubtedly going to be quite a lot of motion within the subsequent few weeks. I anticipate in a month I'll actually know what I'm doing subsequent yr.”
Ted Kravitz is within the paddock to evaluation all the most important tales from the Japanese Grand Prix.
Horner: A couple of 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 vehicles.
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 technique to second place.
Daniel Ricciardo's disappointing begin to the season at Purple Bull's sister staff RB has actually helped Perez's possibilities of holding his place and Horner says his driver must “sustain with what he's doing”.
Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon tangled on the third flip of the opening lap, inflicting a pink flag on the Japanese Grand Prix.
“The entire driver market appears to be very early this yr,” Horner stated.
“Everybody appears to be in a rush and we've solely acquired 4 races to go earlier than the tip of the yr. We're not in a giant rush and there's clearly quite a lot of curiosity in our vehicles as you'd anticipate.”
“Checo is the precedence and it will likely be a number of extra races earlier than we begin excited about subsequent yr.
Perez has not received a race because the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 12 months in the past, Verstappen has received 20 races in that point.
Purple Bull's three first-place finishes from the opening 4 occasions gave it a 21-point lead over Ferrari within the Constructors' Cup.
Lewis Hamilton drops two locations on the grid as Lando Norris and Sergio Perez overtake him, again to again.
If Ferrari can strategy or match Purple Bull later within the season, Perez's performances might be key for the staff to safe a 3rd consecutive constructors' title.
Horner stated on the Australian Grand Prix in March that “typically you need to look exterior the pool” when discussing who might be Verstappen's team-mate in 2025, however at Suzuka he confirmed clear assist for Perez, who’s “highly regarded” within the staff in keeping with the boss of Purple Bull.
“It's his place to lose. He's doing an ideal job and certified inside a tenth of a second of Max. It was by far his finest 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.”
Max Verstappen believes that after his victory in Japan, Purple Bull will be capable to go even higher because the season progresses.
Horner reveals the misplaced wager to Perez – who owed Ecclestone
Pérez had his finest qualifying efficiency in nearly a yr when he began second on Sunday, giving Purple Bull their first front-row exit because the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner revealed he wager Perez to get on the entrance row, which the Mexican received by qualifying second.
“I wager him as a result of his finest qualifying efficiency right here was P4, so I wager him to place it on the entrance row,” he stated.
“By some means after he received the wager he advised me he owed Bernie Ecclestone precisely the identical sum of money so he handed the wager on to Bernie who was the recipient of Chec's first row. So expensive outdated Bernie continues to be earning profits though he's not even right here!”
Subsequent up is the return of the Chinese language Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can 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
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