39-podium driver admits he might have already signed his ‘last contract’ in Formula 1

Follow us on Google Discover

A number of big names on the Formula 1 grid are approaching the end of their careers. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is among them, even if he’s only just signed for Ferrari.

Hamilton’s contract runs until the end of 2026, with the option for a further year. He’ll have to choose whether he wants to continue in the sport after the first season of the new regulations.

Damon Hill has suggested Ferrari could re-sign Carlos Sainz once Hamilton retires, while academy driver Oliver Bearman will also hope to succeed the legendary Briton. Bearman has signed with customer team Haas for 2025.

Fernando Alonso is also committed for the start of F1’s new era, but he’ll be 45 by the end of his contract. Very few would expect him to carry on beyond that point, with Yuki Tsunoda potentially eyeing his Aston Martin seat.

Elsewhere, Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo have reached their mid-30s, so it’s conceivable that both will retire in the near future. Nico Hulkenberg is the third-oldest driver on the grid at 36, and it remains to be seen how long his stay at Sauber/Audi lasts.

With Bearman confirmed and Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan likely to join him, there could be at least three rookies on the F1 grid. It seems another generational shift could be underway.

Sergio Perez drops 2026 retirement hint

Speaking to De Estreno, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez hinted that he’s signed his ‘last contract’ in Formula 1. In June, he penned an extension that could run until the end of 2026.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that he’ll see out that deal. He only just survived beyond the summer break, and Red Bull may consider his future again in the autumn.

But it seems Perez is of a mind to continue in F1 for the next two and a half years or so. At that point, he’ll look to spend more time with his children.

While he may not give up racing altogether, the 34-year-old insists he doesn’t want to emulate Alonso. He pointed to the fact that the F1 calendar is now more demanding than ever.

“This is my last contract now, but obviously I’m not finished,” he said. “I don’t have many years, no doubt, because I have a certain limit where I wouldn’t like to be here anymore because I want to see my children grow up, I want to spend more time with them.

“At the end of the day, with 24 races a year and commitments, I see very little of my children. I’m not saying I’m going to retire soon but let’s say I’m not going to be an Alonso here at 40.”

The standout destination for Sergio Perez if he leaves Red Bull

If Perez loses his Red Bull drive, it seems unlikely that he’ll drop down to RB as others have done. Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly were demoted to the junior team, while Ricciardo returned to Faenza midway through 2023.

Helmut Marko plans to promote young talent again, with Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad all pushing for a seat. Placing Perez at RB would therefore be seen as a regressive step.

But he’s still likely to attract interest from elsewhere. While he’s struggled alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, there was a time when he was among the highest-rated drivers in F1’s midfield.

Sauber could try to re-sign Perez, having given him his F1 debut back in 2011. While his old Force India teammate Hulkenberg has agreed to join, they’re struggling to fill the vacancy alongside him and a reunion with the 39-time podium-finisher may appeal.