Sergio Perez given three-word verdict on whether he will still be a Red Bull driver in 2025

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Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez knows he needs to finish the 2024 Formula 1 season strongly to make sure he’s still on the grid next year.

Sergio Perez was handed a new contract by Red Bull during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend in the hope that it would reduce some of the pressure on him and improve his faltering performances.

Unfortunately, the Mexican driver hasn’t scored a podium since that race and looks destined to finish 8th in the Drivers’ Championship, at least 200 points behind teammate Max Verstappen.

The difficulties Perez has suffered are likely to lose Red Bull the team championship, with McLaren and Ferrari able to rely on both drivers to challenge for victories at any given race weekend.

Perez has clauses in his Red Bull contract that would allow the team to drop him, however, finding a suitable alternative is the issue team principal Christian Horner and Helmut Marko is their next challenge.

Journalist and paddock insider Tim Hauraney was speaking with co-host Adam Wylde about Perez’s future on the Nailing The Apex Podcast.

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix would have done little to convince Red Bull that Perez was about to turn a corner.

He scored just a single point across the race weekend and was nowhere near Verstappen who produced one of the best drives in his F1 career.

Sergio Perez’s 2025 F1 future verdict delivered after Brazilian Grand Prix woes

After a tough race at Interlagos, former driver Timo Glock admitted that he thought Perez’s time in F1 was over.

A shift is taking place towards younger drivers on the grid with Gabriel Bortoleto confirmed by Sauber for 2025, making him the fourth rookie getting ready to join the sport next year.

Perez faces pressure from Liam Lawson as the RB driver impresses on his return to F1.

Red Bull have also shown interest in Franco Colapinto in recent weeks, and now that he knows he won’t be joining Sauber, his only option to stay in F1 is if he joins the Red Bull family in some capacity.

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

Hauraney’s co-host Wylde was discussing Verstappen’s incredible win in Sao Paulo and then said: “You look at his partner Sergio, didn’t even finish in the points.

“And like [he’s] not going to be back next year. Let’s stop. Let’s stop asking the question. He’s not going to be there.

Hauraney simply replied: “I doubt it.”

Christian Horner rules out one contender for Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat

Perez has already survived one vote of confidence this season after speculation grew that he was set to be replaced during the summer break.

Ultimately, Daniel Ricciardo’s form wasn’t strong enough to justify promoting him and he’s now lost his F1 seat altogether to give Lawson his opportunity.

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

Horner has since ruled out a move for Carlos Sainz who will be driving for Williams next season.

The Spaniard won Perez’s home race in Mexico and while his performance in Brazil was worse than the Red Bull driver’s, overall he’s been much more consistent this year.

The 34-year-old was on the podium in Las Vegas this year, and he needs the odds to be on his side at the next race to give himself every opportunity to be in F1 in 2025.
Perez promised he would race in Mexico City next season, but every sign points towards that being less and less likely.