Reports claimed that Red Bull driver Sergio Perez could announce his retirement at the Mexican GP; Watch the full United States GP weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying on Friday at 10pm, the sprint on Saturday at 11pm and then the Grand Prix at 8pm on Sunday
Last updated: 10/19/23 11:46 PM
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Sergio Perez says he is not bothered by rumors that he will lose his seat at Red Bull and is 100 percent sure he will stay
Sergio Perez says he is not bothered by rumors that he will lose his seat at Red Bull and is 100 percent sure he will stay
Sergio Perez says he has laughed off rumors suggesting he could announce his retirement from Formula 1 at next weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, insisting he is “100 percent” confident he will join Red Bull next season will stay.
Following the latest disappointing performance – at the Qatar Grand Prix – of what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for Perez, a report claimed the 33-year-old could announce the end of his career at his home race.
Perez is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2024 season, but his world champion teammate Max Verstappen’s utter dominance over him has resulted in speculation over whether the team could opt to replace him at an earlier date.
“I read that too,” Perez said of the report, ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
“I just laugh about it. I can not help it. I am completely focused on the work.
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Nico Rosberg says Sergio Perez has let F1 fans down by failing to mount a real challenge for the title and making it ‘too easy’ for Max Verstappen
“That really sums up my season. A man says something about me, and then it suddenly becomes true.
“But I have a contract for next year and there is no reason not to complete that contract. I will do my utmost, I have made a promise.”
Asked about his level of certainty of staying with the team next season, Perez said he was “100 percent” confident he would be retained, citing discussions with team boss Christian Horner and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
“I have a contract and so do the discussions with the team,” he added. “There is no reason for me not to honor that contract.”
‘Red Bull contract not my last in F1’
After a strong start to the season, which saw him share two wins each with Verstappen in the first four races, Perez has fallen 209 points behind his teammate, a margin that means the Dutchman has sealed his third consecutive drivers’ title with five rounds to spare.
Perez admits it is difficult to catch up with his teammate, but insists he has not even considered retirement.
“It’s difficult, of course. It’s not ideal when you’re going through a difficult period in your career,” Perez said.
‘But I just like the challenge of getting back into it.
“The easiest thing would be to just get out, but that’s not me, that’s not who I am, and I’m not going to give up.
“I have no doubt that I will be back to my best level, and that is the only goal I have in mind.
“I’m not even thinking about retirement or anything like that because that’s just the easy route.”
Perez also said his current contract with Red Bull would not be his last in F1, but refused to confirm his openness to driving for another team.
“I don’t think about that (driving for another team), but I’m just enjoying it at the moment,” he said.
“I like the challenge of getting back out there. I’m 33, I think I have some good years ahead of me, so I think as an athlete you want to maximize your career. That’s important to me, and that is my focus.
“I am at Red Bull and I want to stay at Red Bull, but of course it has to work out well for both parties.”
When can you watch the US GP and F1 Academy Final live only on Sky Sports F1?
Friday October 20
- 2.15pm: F1 Academy Exercise One
- 6:00 PM: US GP Practice One (session starts 6:30 PM)
- 7.55pm: F1 Academy practice two
- 9 p.m.: Build-up of qualifying for the American GP
- 10 p.m.: Qualifying for the American GP (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 11.30pm: F1 Academy qualifying
- (Saturday) 12:30: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Saturday October 21
- 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race One
- 6 p.m.: build-up of the American GP Sprint Shootout
- 6:30 PM: American GP Sprint Shootout
- 9.15pm: F1 Academy Race Two
- 10 p.m.: build-up of the American GP Sprint
- 11 p.m.: American GP SPRINT (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
- (Sunday) 12:30 PM: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
Sunday October 22
- 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race Three
- 6:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday: build-up to the American GP
- 8 p.m.: THE GRAND PRIZE OF THE UNITED STATES (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 10 p.m.: Checkered flag: response from the American GP
- 11pm: Ted’s notebook
Watch Formula 1 return to Texas this weekend for the United States Grand Prix and another sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW