Red Bull F1 driver Sergio Perez in ‘constant’ talks over possible career change

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Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo has now opened up on his ‘constant’ talks with Red Bull Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez about a potential move to the electric series.

This weekend sees FE begin its 10th season in Mexico with a sold-out race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Red Bull F1 simulator driver Jake Dennis will hope to defend his title at Andretti. While Sam Bird quit Jaguar to join Jake Hughes in an all-British line-up for McLaren.

Formula 1 flop Nyck De Vries is also back behind the wheel of a Formula E car having signed with Mahindra. The 28-year-old won the 2020/21 FE title with Mercedes but struggled in F1. Daniel Ricciardo replaced De Vries at AlphaTauri after he failed to score a point in 10 rounds.

Alberto Longo is speaking with Sergio Perez about a move to Formula E

But Longo also has his sights on taking a Formula 1 race winner to Formula E with the series’ chief championship officer speaking with Red Bull racer Perez about a move. The Mexican is only under contract through the 2023 F1 season in Milton Keynes on a deal agreed in 2022.

“I talk constantly with Checo and I hope he makes a jump to real competition,” Longo joked, as quoted by Fox Sports. “Formula E is his home, the doors will be open and he is welcome.”

Perez has been on the Formula 1 grid since the 2011 season with Sauber, before spells with McLaren, Force India (and later as Racing Point) and now Red Bull. The Mexican will embark on his fourth season at Red Bull in 2024 as he fights for his future in F1 after a difficult 2023.

The Red Bull driver endured the ‘worst weekend’ of his F1 career in 2023

Perez ended the 2023 F1 season second in the drivers’ championship as Red Bull took their first-ever one-two finish. But he penned 290 fewer points than teammate Max Verstappen, who could have won the title twice. Perez scored 285 in the 22 rounds to Verstappen’s 575.

The 33-year-old has also now dubbed the 2023 Qatar GP as the ‘worst weekend’ of Perez’s F1 career to date. He saw his faint title dreams vanish in the Sprint after colliding with Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon. He also ended the Grand Prix in 10th after three penalties.

It was only one of a number of disappointing weekends Perez endured last season, though. Verstappen also put a huge mental nail in Perez’s title dream at the Miami GP after beating the Mexican. The Dutchman won from P9 on the grid whilst Perez started on pole position.