‘I will be driving for Red Bull next year’ - Perez

Sergio Perez insists nothing has changed in his belief that he will be driving for Red Bull in 2025, despite RACER understanding that talks have taken place regarding his contract situation. Red Bull has been disappointed with Perez’s points return this season as it has failed to defend its constructors’ championship, as he currently sits 277 points adrift of teammate Max Verstappen. Helmut Marko has already confirmed a shareholder meeting will take place next week to discuss options when it comes to Perez’s seat, and sources close to the situation have told RACER that there have been talks regarding his future, but the driver himself says he’s staying put. “For me it’s just important to focus on the weekend,” said Perez (pictured at right, above, with Verstappen). “Give the best possible I can for the team to really try and prove to the whole group of the team that we can do it. I think that’s the main objective for the weekend. “Nothing has changed since before in terms of what I’ve said for the entire year. I’ve got a contract for next year and I will be driving for Red Bull next year. “To be honest I haven’t been much into it. For sure I have seen the rumors, but nothing different to the last couple of ones. But in that regard nothing further to add. I already said it in the last six months, that I’m here, I renewed with the team earlier in the year and I’m here to be the driver for the team next year and it’s where my full focus is.” After public comments from Marko and team principal Christian Horner that did little to quell the speculation, Perez says the team needs to remain united at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “I think it’s just important to stay together. The season hasn’t been the greatest but at the end of the day there’s a reason why they renewed me,” he said. “They know I can still do it and that’s the important factor. “Of course I take responsibility , but also I don’t feel it’s all down to one person. I’m obviously part of a big organization, a big team, and it’s very unfortunate we did not fight any harder for the constructors’ .” Perez believes there is still not enough appreciation of how tough it is to be Verstappen’s teammate, and believes any young driver who could replace him would face an extreme test. “It’s an incredible challenge,” he said. “I knew what I signed for when I came here. It’s an incredible challenge, a challenge that people should not underestimate the level of experience, the level of capacity, of mental strength that you need to cope with this extreme… “Being teammates with Max at Red Bull for a young driver, I wouldn’t like to be in those shoes if I’m honest. I think it’s like I say, people cannot underestimate the level of challenge that there is in this seat.”