Sergio Perez Calls Red Bull His Final Destination in F1 - Here's Why
Sergio Perez has been a force to reckon with on the F1 circuit, and with his recent extension with Red Bull, he’s making it clear he wants to end his career on a high note with the team. The Mexican driver, who recently inked a new two-year contract with Red Bull, is set to stay until the end of the 2026 season, much to the delight of fans and the Milton Keynes-based outfit alike.
Source: Formula1.com
Perez's Ambitions at Red Bull
His previous deal was slated to terminate at the end of 2024, but recent announcements ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix confirmed Perez's extension. The two-year deal reaffirms Perez’s place within the team until the end of the 2026 season.
At the recent press conference in Canada, Perez mentioned he was relieved to shift his focus back to racing, having sorted out his contract. “I think like every negotiation, you always have a process to go through, which is not always really nice to do it in-between the races where everything is flat-out. It’s really nice to get this distraction for the team and for myself out of the way so that we can focus on pure performance, and I think that’s the best thing for our team,” the 34-year-old remarked.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Perez has been with Red Bull since 2021, securing five of his six Grand Prix victories with the team. Reflecting on what the extension means, Perez expressed his deep commitment to Red Bull. He articulated, “Red Bull, it’s a team that really takes everything out of you – it’s something that, since I came here, the amount of how intense everything is, on track, off track… It’s a challenge you don’t have anywhere else.”
The straightforward negotiation was much smoother, thanks to Perez's years with the team. “I haven’t had that sort of challenge in my career, so when I signed I’m really up for it and willing to give 100 per cent. It was a very straightforward negotiation because when you are already there it’s a lot easier to reach an agreement,” he said.
The Future and the Final Lap?
Perez confirmed he had conversations with other teams but prioritized staying with Red Bull. He shared, “You’re always talking to different teams; there were other options out there. But for me, my Plan A, B, and C was definitely to stay at Red Bull. I really want to finish my career here, whenever that is. It’s a team that has given me so much that I’m just really happy. I give my best to this team, until my last lap.”
Not the Last Contract?
While Perez aspires to retire at Red Bull, he doesn’t see this extension as his swan song. “Certainly when you look at Fernando [Alonso] or even Lewis [Hamilton], there’s a long way to go,” he commented. “I didn’t sign my last contract, I don’t feel like I’ve done that. When you commit to two years in Formula 1, it’s a lot of time, a lot of energy, and a long way down the line, so to be honest, I don’t really think about that. But what I’m pretty sure about is I want to finish my career at Red Bull.”
Additionally, Perez is eager to be part of the team's journey through the upcoming 2026 technical regulations. He stated, “When you’re changing regulations, and you’re a part of that team, you’re already working on that, giving some ideas here and there, and it’s really quite nice to have that opportunity.”
As more teams make strides in their progress, Perez is determined to be integral to Red Bull’s plans and aspirations. “There are some great teams making a lot of progress, and we’ve got to do the same. It’s always great to be part of a set of regulations with a team,” said the six-time race winner.
In the fast-evolving world of Formula 1, Perez’s commitment to Red Bull paints a picture of a driver settled, content, and excited about the future. His journey to end his F1 career with the team highlights his loyalty and the mutual respect shared. Here’s looking forward to more scintillating performances from the ever-committed Sergio Perez.