The ‘logical option’ for Sergio Perez to stay in F1 if he loses Red Bull seat for 2025

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Sergio Perez is desperately struggling in Formula 1 and is at risk of losing his seat at Red Bull.

The Mexican has got a contract with the defending champions until the end of 2025. But with his performances in 2024, it seems that Perez will not see out that deal.

The 34-year-old has not finished on the podium since China or in the top five since Miami as he sits eighth in the drivers’ standings heading into the Sao Paulo Grand Prix with 151 points, which is a staggering 217 points fewer than teammate Max Verstappen.

Perez suffered a traumatic home Grand Prix in Mexico City as he was eliminated from the first part of qualifying and finished last of the classified drivers in 17th.

This recent disaster has led to further speculation that Perez will be replaced at Red Bull come 2025. But the situation is complex, as Christian Horner and Helmut Marko seem to disagree about whether to dismiss the Mexican or not.

Liam Lawson is being tipped to make the step up from RB to replace Perez at the main team for next year. But it may come sooner than then, as Red Bull are ready to call up Lawson and Isack Hadjar if Perez struggles in Sao Paulo.

Sergio Perez told a return to Sauber would be a ‘logical option’ for 2025

One question that will be on many people’s minds is where Perez will go if he is to be sacked by Red Bull. Speaking on Nailing The Apex, Tim Hauraney sees a move to Sauber as a ‘logical option for the Mexican.

This would be a full circle for Perez’s F1 career, as the Mexican started at the Swiss outfit back in 2011. Spending two years with the team until he moved on to McLaren in 2013, Perez grabbed three podiums, with two second place finishes in Malaysia and Monza in 2012.

Hauraney thinks that Sauber would want Perez back in their team due to his huge financial backing.

“Sauber’s situation is interesting because, even if, I think they’re taking to Kevin Magnussen too,” he said.

“It’s not just Valtteri anymore that they’re talking to right? There’s other drivers who are in the mix.

“I mean, if Sergio were to not come back for 2025 to Red Bull Racing, who’s to say that he doesn’t end up there? That would be a logical option, that would be something that Sauber would interested in.

“He has a lot of strong backing from the Mexican market in terms of partnerships. So, you would have to consider a Sergio Perez on your team.”

Who are Sauber looking at for 2025 alongside Nico Hulkenberg?

Sauber have the only vacant seat left to fill for the 2025 season. The team have already signed Nico Hulkenberg on a multi-year deal which will see him become an Audi factory driver in 2026.

Several drivers have been linked with the seat for next year, with current driver Valtteri Bottas being considered the favourite to be retained.

Kevin Magnussen has emerged as a late contender, while Franco Colapinto is in talks over a potential loan move from Williams to continue his development in F1.

There are already several candidates in the running for the seat, but if Perez is to leave Red Bull and given his experience and substantial backing behind him, it may be an opportunity for Sauber that is too hard to ignore.