Sergio Perez is under contract with Red Bull in Formula 1 until the end of 2024. However, the team is exploring alternatives and considering Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz as potential replacements. Perez, who experienced a challenging season, expressed that F1 lost its enjoyment during the toughest times.
At the beginning of the 2023 season, Perez demonstrated promise with two wins in the initial four races, posing a significant challenge to Max Verstappen in the championship. Unfortunately, he faced a downturn after being defeated by Verstappen in Miami in May. Struggling with a string of poor qualifying performances, Perez hit a low point at the Qatar Grand Prix, finishing 10th, well behind Verstappen.
Following this disappointing race, the 33-year-old spent several days on the Red Bull simulator to analyze the issues. Explaining the delay, Perez mentioned that Qatar was one of his worst weekends in the sport, prompting the need for thorough reflection.
He acknowledged the team’s struggles with car setup but highlighted that overcoming these challenges strengthened the team.
Despite speculation about his future and the possibility of him leaving F1, Perez clarified that walking away was never his intention. He acknowledged the tough times but emphasized his commitment to turning the situation around, taking responsibility for the results and rejecting any notion of giving up on his career at this stage.