Red Bull has confirmed that Sergio Perez will remain with the team for the rest of the 2024 season, despite recent speculation about his future.
This announcement comes amidst a challenging season for Perez, who has accumulated only 28 points over the last eight races, significantly trailing behind his teammate Max Verstappen, who has amassed 141 points in the same period.
Currently, Verstappen is leading the championship race, aiming for his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, while Perez has dropped to seventh place in the standings.
He has yet to secure a win this season, and his recent performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he fell from P2 to P8 (later corrected to P7 due to George Russell’s disqualification), further fueled doubts about his future.
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Reports had suggested that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was to hold meetings regarding Perez at the beginning of F1’s summer break.
However, according to De Telegraaf, Horner assured Red Bull employees at the Milton Keynes factory that Perez would retain his seat for the rest of the season.
“Checo [Perez] remains a Red Bull Racing driver despite all the speculation of late,” Horner reportedly stated.
“We look forward to seeing him perform at circuits where he has done well in the past, after the summer break.”
Red Bull’s earlier decision to extend Perez’s contract by two years had surprised many, especially given his struggles this season.
There was speculation that Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson could potentially replace Perez as Verstappen’s teammate.
Nevertheless, Perez will continue with Red Bull, starting with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where he will aim to prove his worth.
Addressing the ongoing rumors, Perez said at Spa, “I’ve said it before, I don’t think I want to be responding anymore to any future speculation.
“I’m here with the team, fully committed.”
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He emphasized the need to focus on preparing for the second half of the season and dismissed further speculation.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship is being challenged by McLaren, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri closing the gap.
McLaren is now only 42 points behind Red Bull’s 408 points, with Ferrari also in contention with 345 points.