Sergio Perez’s father posts emotional ‘best is yet to come’ message as he faces uncertain Red Bull F1 future

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Sergio Perez’s situation is becoming more critical by the week. It’s increasingly difficult to see how he can stay at Red Bull beyond the 2024 season.

The saga surrounding Perez’s future has been remarkable. In June, he signed a new contract that seemed to guarantee him a 2025 seat, and included an option for 2026 too.

But Perez triggered a break clause in his deal by falling too far behind Max Verstappen before the summer break. He just about kept his seat beyond the Belgian Grand Prix, aided by Daniel Ricciardo’s unconvincing performances.

The noise around Perez quietened in the four races after the break as he delivered reasonable if still underwhelming performances. He was briefly electric in Baku, outqualifying Verstappen before a late crash denied him a first podium since China.

If Red Bull hoped that would yield a breakthrough they may have been left bitterly disappointed. Perez has scored seven points since, failing to reach the top-10 shootout in three of the last four qualifying sessions (Sprint and Grand Prix).

At his home race in Mexico, Perez was the last classified finisher in 17th. A Q1 exit preceded a race-ruining collision with Liam Lawson, the RB driver now bidding to take his seat.

Sergio Perez’s father looks ahead to the ‘end of the movie’ in Formula 1

Before the race, Perez’s father hinted he would stay at Red Bull by predicting that he would still win a world championship in F1. But his message on Instagram on Tuesday was more emotional.

He reflected on Perez’s debut with Sauber and his 277-race journey since. The 34-year-old has apparently become the ‘most known Mexican on the planet’ and should be ‘very proud’ of his achievements.

The post talks about the ‘end of the movie’ and Perez’s ‘last race’. These could be taken as hints of an imminent retirement, but the language barrier must be considered.

It’s also unlikely that Antonio Perez would make such a significant announcement on his son’s behalf. And there has been nothing from the Red Bull camp to suggest this could happen before the Brazilian GP.

“Your first Formula 1 race of Sergio Perez – 2011 Grand Prix of Australia – and his last race – Grand Prix of Mexico 2024,” Perez Sr wrote. “His maximum pride, the most beautiful flag in the world.

“Always together until the end of the movie. Thank you Checo Perez. Today you are the most known Mexican on the planet.

“You have to be very proud of what you have accomplished. Always remember that the worst race of your life was in Mexico when you were 12 years old and they kicked you out of the kart.

“Look what you have accomplished and the best is yet to come. I love you son.”

Christian Horner’s comments at Mexico City Grand Prix put Sergio Perez’s Red Bull future in doubt

Red Bull didn’t seem ‘bothered’ by Lawson hitting Perez, according to The Race’s Scott Mitchell-Malm. The New Zealander refused to yield when Perez tried to pass him on the inside at the turn four/five chicane.

He ran wide but came back onto the track level with the Mexican before they made clumsy contact. Perez was ‘incensed’, but while Red Bull planned to speak to Lawson, there was no indication of any real anger.

Mitchell-Malm sees that as a sign that the team are now favouring the 22-year-old. They could be lining him up to race alongside Verstappen in 2025.

Horner said Perez had to finish in the points in Mexico, but he was nowhere close. While he wasn’t entirely to blame for that outcome, qualifying so poorly always risks incidents with midfield cars.