Oct.18 (GMM) Sergio Perez has in Austin repeated his mantra about being “100% sure” that he’ll nonetheless be a Crimson Bull driver in 2025.
Even previous to the vitality drink firm’s determination to place Liam Lawson head-to-head with Yuki Tsunoda on the junior squad RB for the remaining six races of 2024, rumours have been as soon as once more swirling round Perez.
Some imagine the Mexican will announce his retirement at his dwelling grand prix subsequent weekend, opening up a plum emptiness alongside Max Verstappen.
The identical kind of sources imagine Perez, 34, is at present ‘on probation’ at each single grand prix, with Crimson Bull having the facility to terminate his 2025 deal.
When requested about that, Dr Helmut Marko instructed Osterreich newspaper: “With Checo, inconsistency is the massive drawback.
“I don’t need to say something extra about that.”
It’s believed that Crimson Bull is just not solely frightened about Perez’s type, but additionally frightened that the following large departure from the group might be none aside from Verstappen.
Rumours counsel efforts could also be afoot to woo Oscar Piastri away from McLaren.
“For now, we’re solely targeted on profitable this world championship,” mentioned Marko. “How we carry out subsequent yr will depend upon that, as our automotive won’t change essentially.
“Max has a contract with Crimson Bull, however as I’ve talked about a number of instances, there are exit clauses. Let’s see the way it all develops.
“But when the automotive and setting are usually not proper for him, he could say ‘That’s it!’” the group’s 81-year-old advisor added.
As for Lawson and Tsunoda, neither of them are hiding that their final prize for performing properly till the Abu Dhabi season finale might be a promotion to Crimson Bull Racing.
“It’s been floating round all year long,” mentioned Tsunoda, “however to this point, there’s no level in speaking about it to be sincere.”
Lawson added: “Yuki’s carried out an excellent job the final couple of years and particularly this yr and he’s the benchmark for them to check me towards.
“So by way of the place that units me out for subsequent yr or sooner or later, I’ve completely no concept. However that’s the goal that’s been set,” the 22-year-old added.
However amid the intrigue, Perez moved to obviously reject the rumours a few forthcoming retirement announcement.
“My dwelling race is arising and I need to make a transparent assertion,” he mentioned in Austin. “I’m 100% positive I shall be with this group subsequent yr. I’ve a contract signed and the whole lot else is just not my drawback.
“Proper now, all my ideas are on checking out the present issues with the automotive.”
