F1 News: Sergio Perez Ready To Look For "Alternatives" If Red Bull Doesn't Deliver
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez wants to be with a team where he can 'contribute' and thus the hunt for alternatives won't stop if Red Bull fails to offer him an environment where he can prove himself in 2024.
Perez ended the last season in good form which continued in the early races of 2023 when he won his second race of the year in Azerbaijan, being just six points behind Max Verstappen. However, the form dropped for some reason as he continued to underperform despite having the fastest car on the grid.
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He has hinted through his statements that it isn't just in Red Bull's hands to decide whether to extend his contract beyond 2024 or not. He too plays a major role in deciding whether he wishes to stay or explore other teams.
Reportedly, the primary reason behind the speculation surrounding Perez is a difference of opinion within the Red Bull team. On one side is advisor Helmut Marko who isn't against a driver change in 2024 while the other side is team principal Christian Horner who is adamant about keeping Perez.
Marko spoke to Kleine Zeitung after the summer break on Perez's future where he said, “Nothing is 100 percent certain in Formula 1, it just doesn’t exist.” He stressed that Perez's role is a contractual one and not a guaranteed job. What can one make from that statement? There are high chances of the Mexican driver's role being transferred to AlphaTauri as Yuki Tsunoda's contract hasn't been extended or, he could even be paid to not race.
With Horner drawing the line that Perez would be a Red Bull driver next season, the ball seems to be in the driver's court as he has the whole of 2024 to decide where he's headed next. Formu1a.uno quotes him as having told DAZN:
“I think that now, with the season we’ve had, it’s important in the next races to be in an environment where I feel I can contribute.
"And if that place in 2024 isn’t here, then we have to look for alternatives.”
Perez stresses that his entire focus right now is to help the team bring home the constructors' championship title and second place in the drivers' standings. He said:
“But for now, my main focus is to stay here and win more races. And keep on winning championships with Red Bull.
"As you say, I have a contract for next year. So, at some stage next year, we’ll see.”
Though Horner tried hard to brush away rumours about Perez's future away from Red Bull in 2024, the 33-year-old driver has poured fuel over a fire that had almost been doused. Could we witness major changes in Red Bull next season? We'll soon find out.
