Nine-time F1 champions ‘wouldn’t have any interest’ in hiring Sergio Perez amid potential Red Bull exit

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The Hungarian and Belgian Grand Prix could be pivotal to deciding whether Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 career is about to come to an end.

Red Bull have included clauses in Sergio Perez’s contract that would allow them to part ways with the Mexican driver during the summer break if they wanted to.

After the first few handful of races, Sergio Perez has failed to match the level of performance expected from him by Red Bull.

The 34-year-old is tumbling down the standings in the Drivers’ Championship and hasn’t recorded a top-six finish since the Miami Grand Prix.

Perez is under immense pressure at Red Bull despite signing a new contract before the Canadian Grand Prix that could theoretically see him stay with the team until the end of the 2026 season.

Reserve driver Liam Lawson is being touted as a potential replacement for Perez which would be a huge step up if he were to leapfrog both Visa Cash App RB drivers.

It would leave Perez entering the driver’s market at an awkward time with so many seats already filled for the 2025 season.

Speaking on the Nailing The Apex Podcast, journalist Tim Hauraney has been speaking about where Perez could potentially end up if he departs Red Bull.

Unfortunately, he’s running out of options and his recent performances wouldn’t have endeared him to many team bosses.

Hauraney believes that nine-time Constructors’ Championship winners Williams wouldn’t be interested in hiring Perez.

They’ve already confirmed that Alex Albon will be staying with the team beyond the end of this season.

While Logan Sargeant could move on as early as the summer break, it doesn’t appear as though Perez is in the frame to replace the American.

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

Williams ‘wouldn’t have any interest’ in hiring Sergio Perez if he leaves Red Bull

Asked if Perez has a job in F1 next year if he’s dropped by Red Bull, Hauraney said: “No, I really doubt it.

“I think this would be it, that’s my opinion, it’s not something I know.

“But I think that would be the end of it for him, unfortunately. I couldn’t see him going to another team where else would he go?

“Williams wouldn’t have any interest, they’ve already got their sights set, they’ve got two drivers in their crosshairs.

“And then Mercedes they’ve already got a driver plus potentially another driver in their crosshairs and Alpine’s already got their drivers decided upon that they’re going to choose from.

“Where else are you going to go? Audi’s got their thing, Haas has got their thing, so it’s like where else would he fit in?”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship

Who is in line to race for Williams in 2025?

With Alex Albon already tied down to a new deal, it’s up to team principal James Vowles to decide on his teammate for 2025.

Carlos Sainz was a serious option for the Grove-based manufacturer for next year, but Williams appear to have run out of patience with Sainz as he continues to delay deciding on his future.

There are still several drivers on the market that would be keen on a move to Williams despite currently sitting 9^th in the Constructors’’ Championship.

Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas is now one of the favourites to sign for Williams and make a return to the team that handed him his Formula 1 debut.

Meanwhile, Perez will be heading to the Hungaroring knowing that he has to narrow the gap to his teammate to avoid being on the chopping block.

Although Lawson could replace him at Red Bull, the 22-year-old Kiwi isn’t the standout driver a team of Red Bull’s calibre would typically promote.

It highlights that Red Bull have backed themselves into a corner in the driver market especially as they don’t seem to have any interest in hiring Sainz.