Sergio Perez ‘doesn’t want to admit’ one crucial thing about Red Bull contract amid Liam Lawson rumours

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Sergio Perez picked up just one point at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last weekend. While there were mitigating circumstances, he needed a big result.

After an apparent operational error from his Red Bull team, Perez ran out of time to set another lap in SQ2 on Friday. That condemned him to 13th on the grid.

From there, he mounted a solid recovery drive to eighth, taking the final point on offer. Perez overcame Liam Lawson’s aggressive defence in another intense battle between the two main contenders to partner Max Verstappen in 2025.

On Sunday morning, in the delayed Grand Prix qualifying session, Perez suffered another Q2 exit. But for the first time this season, the same fate befell Verstappen, with a late red flag invalidating their final laps.

The Mexican would line up 12th this time, but after a race of scrapping in the midfield, he only gained one position. Lewis Hamilton edged him out for the last points spot.

Perez has scored just 20 points since the summer break, and 11 in the last five weekends. For reference, midfield driver Esteban Ocon picked up 18 in Brazil alone.

Sergio Perez won’t ‘admit’ that there are exit clauses in his Red Bull contract

Perez’s camp have remained bullish on his future even with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko publicly confirming that his seat is up for grabs. He signed a new deal in June, and they say that protects them.

Indeed, Perez’s manager told Damon Hill his contract is ‘watertight’. It was a one-plus-one arrangement covering 2025 and potentially 2026.

Perez’s father has also rejected exit rumours, but according to RTL reporter Felix Gorner (writing for sport.de), there are ‘increasing signs’ Lawson will take his seat. ‘The clauses are clear’, even if Perez ‘doesn’t want to admit it yet’.

Reports have claimed that Perez is in breach of contract at Milton Keynes, having fallen too far behind Verstappen before the summer break. That underperformance entitles the team to break the agreement.

Ted Kravitz predicts whether Sergio Perez will finish the season amid Liam Lawson rumours

One insider claimed during the Brazil weekend that Red Bull are planning two driver changes for Las Vegas. Lawson would move up to the top team, with F2 star Isack Hadjar replacing him at RB.

The only way Perez could prevent that was by delivering in Sao Paulo. He didn’t manage to do so, but Red Bull may recognise that bad luck played a part.

Indeed, Ted Kravitz believes Perez will see out the season. After two weekends off, the campaign will conclude with a triple-header in Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

It remains to be seen whether Lawson can offer a clear upgrade next year. Many in F1 are surprised that Red Bull snubbed Carlos Sainz, who will race for midfield squad Williams instead.