Sergio Perez ‘very happy’, uncertain about Formula One future
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Mexican driver Sergio Perez suffered a poor second half of the 2024 season that saw him finish eighth in the driver’s standings.
PHOTO: AFP
MEXICO CITY – Sergio Perez’s downfall at Red Bull was swift, but it has not taken the Mexican star long to find peace as he considers his next career move.
The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract extension last June, but parted ways with the Formula One team just six months later following a poor second half of the 2024 season that saw him finish eighth in the driver’s standings.
He wanted to keep his seat at Red Bull for a fifth season, but they decided to sign 22-year-old Liam Lawson to pair with four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Less than a month later, Perez said he is in a “dream position” as he considers his next step.
“I’m very happy with my life, very excited about what’s ahead,” he said.
“For sure, if I receive a good, interesting (F1) project, then I’ll definitely consider it. It will all come in its own time. For now, my priority in the months ahead is to have fun, do what I haven’t been able to – travel, be with my family.
“In the next six months, I’ll make a decision on what I want for my career.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said at the time that it was Perez’s decision to take a break from F1, but the driver said that was not the case.
“Everything happened very quickly at the end of the season, so I didn’t expect it,” he said.
After pursuing his F1 dream since he was six years old and spending the past 14 years living it out, Perez is enjoying the increased freedom in his schedule.
While the 20 F1 drivers are hard at work preparing for the 2025 season, which begins in mid-March with the Australian Grand Prix, he is spending time with family and friends.
“It’s incredible, especially at this time of year when you’re already thinking about the season and you can’t do anything any more,” he added.
“This is my first year since I can remember where I can decide what to do. I can go (somewhere), I can confirm a trip, I can go with my family and my children wherever I want. So the truth is it’s something that I’m enjoying a lot.
“The truth is that I am very calm, very happy, enjoying time. And I think that I’m finally going to travel because in all these years I’ve travelled all over the world, but without knowing it.”
Perez has recorded six wins and 39 podium finishes since making his F1 debut in 2011. His most recent victory came at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. REUTERS
