F1 News: Sergio Perez Sheds Light On Future With Red Bull
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has shared his perspective on the possibility of securing a contract extension beyond 2024 with his current team. He emphasizes that he is not dwelling too far into the future, aiming to avoid distractions. Instead, his current focus centers on delivering strong performances in the initial Grands Prix of the season, allowing motivation to naturally evolve from there.
As the Mexican driver enters his final season with the Milton Keynes outfit, the pressure to prove himself must be at an all-time high.
Paired alongside a three-time world champion like Max Verstappen, and with the rumor mill churning different names of his replacement drivers now and then, Perez clearly has targets to achieve in 2024. However, the rumors don't seem to be affecting the 34-year-old driver. Here's what he had to say to the media at the launch of the Red Bull RB20:
“I think I’m at a great team, being part of the Red Bull family is amazing and we’ll see what the future holds.
“For now, we are fully focused on the start of the year and ideally we will carry on for four more years in this team.”
When asked if he had was setting objectives before the first race of the 2024 season, he added:
“No, I think the start of the season is going to be really busy, so we will just be focusing on the first few races. That’s my main objective and I don’t think I am setting any timelines or anything like that.
“I am going to focus on the first five races because to get the most out of it, because it will just be taking a lot of energy out of me and I don’t want any distractions.”
With the announcement of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton switching to Ferrari in 2025, Perez agreed that the driver market could become more active this season, but he wasn't going to let that distract him. He said:
“I’m sure that most of the drivers are going to be willing to get things done a lot earlier in the year.
“But it’s just the approach you have, from my side I am just focusing on having a good year and the rest always takes care of itself as long as you are performing on track.
“I’m not really bothered about it, it’s my 14th season in F1, so for me, the mentality is hitting it well on track.”
Perez added that all he wants to do this season is to stay motivated and enjoy racing by leaving aside the distractions. He revealed:
“I mean, to be honest, you know, when you’ve been for so long in this business you know how it operates, and yeah, I’m just a lot less bothered about it, I want to make sure I’m able to enjoy it first of all, a lot of fun, I have the motivation and the rest will take care of itself.”
