What happened in 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix ticket sale amid Sergio Perez exit rumours

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Sergio Perez is still hoping to win the Mexico City Grand Prix before he retires. His camp remain bullish about his Red Bull future, but they haven’t managed to ease the considerable doubt.

Perez has ‘laughed’ at the ‘invented’ stories he’s read in the European media, and called for certain journalists to be more professional. He’s already signed a new contract for 2025, with an option for 2026, and expects the team to honour it.

Indeed, Perez’s manager told Damon Hill his contract is ‘watertight’. Red Bull may regret offering him the extension back in June.

Perez’s father has also hinted that he’ll stay put, even if Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have said the situation is under active review. Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto both have their eye on the seat next to Verstappen.

Contrary to claims from his management, Perez is reportedly in breach of contract after falling too far behind Verstappen before the summer break. That would, in theory, allow the team to axe him without a legal battle.

That leaves Mexican Formula 1 fans in suspense. But they’ve already voted with their feet ahead of 2025.

First 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix tickets sell out in 15 minutes despite Sergio Perez uncertainty

The first pre-sale for the 2025 Mexico City GP took place on Tuesday, and according to Latinus, it sold out within 15 minutes. The tickets then went on general sale on Wednesday.

The level of interest from fans may point to confidence that Perez will be on the grid next year. The race probably wouldn’t be on the calendar without him, and few drivers have a more passionate following in their homeland.

Perez was the last classified finisher in a nightmare race last month, coming home 18th. He’d suffered a Q1 exit on Saturday and any hope of fighting his way back into the points was dashed when he made contact with Lawson.

Fans may also be aware that Mexico’s F1 contract expires at the end of 2025. ESPN report that organisers are seeking an extension with or without Perez, and have already initiated talks.

The huge contract buyout fee that could keep Sergio Perez at Red Bull

The exact details of Perez’s contract are of course unknown from the outside. But there are growing indications that Red Bull may have to pay him off if they want to break the agreement, rather than simply activating a no-strings-attached exit clause.

Perez wants nearly £16m to walk away from Red Bull, though his priority is of course to stay on the grid. After Sauber signed Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hulkenberg, there are no vacancies elsewhere.

The loss of Perez’s sponsorship revenue, combined with that fee, could dissuade Red Bull from making a change. His dismal form has likely cost them prize money from the constructors’ championship, but it’s difficult to say whether Lawson or Colapinto would offer a significant improvement.

Perez has performed even worse than Logan Sargeant relative to his teammate this season. But Verstappen is one of the greatest drivers ever, so a large gap is partly to be expected.