Sergio Perez, a Red Bull driver, has significantly underperformed predictions for 2024.
Sergio Perez believes that his time as a Formula One driver is running out.
The Red Bull great will be 35 in January, but it is unclear whether he will still have a full-time seat when he celebrates his birthday. The reigning constructors’ champions are allegedly considering the Mexican’s future as he nears the end of a disappointing season in which he has fallen far behind teammate Max Verstappen.
It remains to be seen if Perez will be permitted to finish his Red Bull contract, which runs until the end of 2026, or whether team executives will exercise the performance-related break options included in the agreement.
Perez says that he is nearing the end of his career. And his age, along with the arduous schedule, means that continuing as an F1 driver is ‘not sustainable’ for much longer.
“I’m a little older than Max, so I’m already nearing the end of my career,” he admitted on the Podpah podcast. “I’m 34. My children are my most important commitment, as they approach key ages.
“With 24 races on the calendar and our complete commitment to Formula One, it is not sustainable for many years. I know I’m nearing the conclusion of my career. “I just want to have a good time.”
Perez has had a difficult few weeks, finishing outside the points in both Brazil and Mexico. Despite Verstappen’s almost-certain fourth consecutive individual title, Red Bull has dropped to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
The squad is allegedly looking at Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto as potential alternatives for Perez. Promoting Lawson from sister squad VCARB would be a pretty simple procedure for Red Bull, but his inexperience makes him a risk.
Colapinto is also a newcomer, but he has made an impression since receiving his first shot at Williams midway through the season. The Argentine is still without a place for 2025, as Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon have already committed to creating Williams’ driver lineup.
However, because he only signed a long-term contract this year, Red Bull may have to spend a substantial amount of money to sign him. “Franco is a talent,” stated Red Bull boss Christian Horner from Brazil. “You’re always keeping an eye on the market and how things are developing.”
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