How Red Bull feel about re-signing Sergio Perez as Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 contract runs down

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There appears to be a growing sense that Mexican driver Sergio Perez could be returning to Formula 1 next season.

It didn’t come as a huge shock that Red Bull decided to part ways with Sergio Perez at the end of last season.

Perez finished nearly 300 points behind teammate Max Verstappen as the Dutchman went on to win his fourth drivers’ championship.

Liam Lawson was confirmed as Perez’s replacement, but this season has forced fans to reappraise the six-time race winner’s performances.

The New Zealander lasted just two race weekends before Christian Horner decided he wasn’t up to the required standard.

Yuki Tsunoda has had a difficult time at Red Bull since replacing Lawson, leaving Laurent Mekies’ team stuck in fourth place in the constructors’ championship.

Tsunoda’s contract expires at the end of the season, with no official word on the next steps for that side of the garage.

Perez is closing in on a move to Cadillac, although nothing has been confirmed at this stage of the season.

With Red Bull looking no closer to confirming who will be Verstappen’s teammate next season, the team now need to consider every option ahead of the upcoming regulation changes.

READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Red Bull ‘unlikely’ to re-sign Sergio Perez for the 2026 Formula 1 season

A report from the Mexican outlet Record has shared more details about Perez’s plans for the future.

They reiterate that Cadillac appears to be Perez’s best option for making a return to Formula 1.

Perez doesn’t seem to be an option for Alpine anymore, despite the troubles that Franco Colapinto is having since replacing Jack Doohan.

Lawson and Tsunoda’s side of the Red Bull garage have contributed fewer points to the constructors’ championship than any other outfit this year, besides the second Alpine seat.

Even in slower cars, rookies Oliver Bearman (eight) and Gabriel Bortoleto (14) have performed better.

The report goes on to say that Red Bull are ‘unlikely’ to consider the return of Perez to replace Tsunoda next season.

It makes sense given Red Bull have already paid a significant sum to buy Perez out of his contract, which should theoretically run until the end of 2026.

Isack Hadjar remains Red Bull’s favoured candidate to replace Tsunoda if they decide to part ways with the Japanese driver.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Sergio Perez’s biggest hint that he’s making a Formula 1 return next season

Perez has more than 280 Grand Prix starts under his belt, making him an ideal candidate to race for Cadillac.

The American outfit are going to need as much experience as possible to become a competitive outfit in Formula 1, and Perez can certainly deliver that.

Red Bull engineers apologised to Perez last season, as they hadn’t taken his feedback seriously until Verstappen pointed out that he was also struggling with the car.

Although a return to Red Bull is off the cards, the paddock could soon be welcoming back the 35-year-old.

It’s been suggested that Perez has already been dropping hints about a comeback, but fans will only start to get really excited once official confirmation arrives.