Sergio Perez is seeking a three-year extension with Red Bull, though his aspirations were met with skepticism, as shared by ex-F1 driver Robert Doornbos.
According to Doornbos, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko is hesitant, preferring to offer only one-year extensions to the 34-year-old Perez to prevent complacency.
Perez has shown remarkable improvement since the 2023 summer break, bouncing back from a challenging European season to achieve three second-place finishes in the first four races of 2024.
This resurgence has placed him in a favorable position for contract negotiations, despite potential interest from Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.
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Doornbos recounted an instance where Perez’s request for a longer contract was humorously dismissed by Marko during negotiations in Japan.
Marko’s stance is clear: he believes in offering no more than a one-year extension to maintain the driver’s motivation, citing concerns over complacency with longer contracts.
Marko has previously hinted that the prospect of contract renewal can significantly motivate drivers, suggesting that Perez’s recent performances could be partly driven by his contract situation.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the length of the extension, Perez remains a strong contender in the driver’s market, closely trailing teammate Max Verstappen in the standings.
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In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Perez expressed contentment with his career achievements and a relaxed attitude towards future developments.
He anticipates significant movements in the driver market soon, expecting clarity on his position within a month.
Perez’s ongoing negotiations and performance put him at the heart of the upcoming driver market dynamics, highlighting his pivotal role in Red Bull’s strategic planning amidst the competitive F1 landscape.