Reports claimed that Red Bull driver Sergio Perez could announce his retirement at the Mexican GP; watch the full United States GP weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying on Friday at 10pm , the Sprint on Saturday at 11pm, and then the Grand Prix at 8pm on Sunday
Last Updated: 19/10/23 11:46pm
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Sergio Perez says he isn’t bothered by rumours he will lose his seat at Red Bull and is 100 per cent confident he is staying
Sergio Perez says he isn’t bothered by rumours he will lose his seat at Red Bull and is 100 per cent confident he is staying
Sergio Perez says he has been “laughing” at rumours suggesting he could announce his retirement from Formula 1 at next weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, and insists he is “100 per cent” sure of remaining with Red Bull next season.
Following the latest disappointing performance – at the Qatar Grand Prix – of what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for Perez, a report claimed the 33-year-old could announce the end of his career at his home race.
Perez is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2024 season, but his world champion team-mate Max Verstappen’s total domination over him has resulted in speculation over whether the team could opt to replace him at an earlier date.
“I also read that,” Perez said of the report, ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
“I’m just laughing at it. There’s nothing I can do. I’m fully focused on the job.
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“That really sums up my season. A guy says something about me, then all of a sudden it becomes true.
“But I have a contract for next year, and no reason to not complete that contract. I’m going to give my very best to it, I’ve done a commitment.”
Asked about his level of certainty at remaining with the team next season, Perez said he was “100 per cent” confident of being retained, citing conversations with team principal Christian Horner and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
“I have a contract, and the conversations with the team as well,” he added. “There is no reason for me not to fulfil that contract.”
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Max Verstappen is crowned world champion after Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez crashes out of the Sprint
‘Red Bull contract not my last in F1’
After making a strong start to the season in which he shared two wins apiece with Verstappen in the opening four races, Perez has fallen 209 points back from his team-mate, a margin which means the Dutchman has sealed his third successive drivers’ title with five rounds to spare.
Perez admits his deficit to his team-mate has been challenging to deal with but insists he has not even considered retiring.
“It is difficult, of course. It’s not ideal when you go through a difficult patch in your career,” Perez said.
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Sergio Perez’s struggles continued with three five-second time penalties during the Qatar GP
“But I just love the challenge of getting back at it.
“The easiest thing would be to just walk out of it, but that’s not me, that’s not who I am, and I will not give up.
“I have zero doubts that I will be back to my best level, and that is my only target I have in mind.
“I do not even think about retirement or anything like that, because that’s just the easy route.”
Perez also said that his current contract with Red Bull would not be his last in F1, but refused to confirm his openness to driving for another team.
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the United States Grand Prix
“I’m not thinking on that (driving for another team), but I’m just enjoying it at the moment,” he said.
“I’m loving the challenge of getting back out of it. I’m 33, I think I’ve got some good years ahead of me, so I think as an athlete you want to maximise your career. That to me is important, and that’s my focus.
“I’m with Red Bull and I want to stay with Red Bull, but obviously it has to work out for both sides.”
When to watch the US GP and F1 Academy finale live only on Sky Sports F1
Friday October 20
- 2.15pm: F1 Academy Practice One
- 6pm: US GP Practice One (Session starts 6.30pm)
- 7.55pm: F1 Academy Practice Two
- 9pm: US GP Qualifying build-up
- 10pm: US GP Qualifying (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 11.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
- (Saturday) 12.30am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Saturday October 21
- 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race One
- 6pm: US GP Sprint Shootout build-up
- 6:30pm: US GP Sprint Shootout
- 9.15pm: F1 Academy Race Two
- 10pm: US GP Sprint build-up
- 11pm: US GP SPRINT (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
- (Sunday) 12.30am: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
Sunday October 22
- 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race Three
- 6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: US GP build-up
- 8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
- 10pm: Chequered Flag: US GP reaction
- 11pm: Ted’s Notebook
Watch Formula 1 return to Texas for the United States Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW