Perez admits Verstappen Red Bull EXIT would be a 'blow'
Perez admits Verstappen Red Bull EXIT would be a 'blow'
Sergio Perez has given his thoughts on the rumours that are linking team-mate Max Verstappen with a move away from Red Bull.
The defending champions have started the 2024 season where they left off in 2023, with one-two finishes in the opening two races, but the team have been in complete turmoil off the track.
READ MORE: Verstappen makes DEFINITIVE announcement on Red Bull future
Three-time champion Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has been in question in recent weeks following the ongoing situation surrounding team principal Christian Horner.
The Dutchman’s father Jos Verstappen had a ‘falling out’ with Horner in Bahrain after an internal investigation by the team cleared the 50-year-old of any wrongdoing over allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female colleague.
Perez: Verstappen leaving would be a huge blow
But as the Australian Grand Prix approaches, Horner’s position at Red Bull is still seemingly under threat, as well as legendary figure Helmut Marko, and Verstappen.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, with Sky F1 pundit Johnny Herbet claiming that a deal is close to being completed between the two parties.
Verstappen reportedly has a clause in his contract – that runs until 2028 – that allows him to leave Red Bull if Horner or Marko depart, and at the driver press conference in Australia, team-mate Perez was questioned by David Croft about whether he had a similar clause.
The Mexican responded: “I don't have that clause. I don't know what clause Max has in his contract. I think it's best you ask him. I think Max, as far as I know, has a contract with the team and is fully committed with the team.
“The rest, I think it's not for me to comment. It's nothing to do with me. I'm focusing on my decisions, on what I have to do. And I think for us to be talking about other drivers when we don't know any facts, I don't see any point to do so.”
READ MORE: F1 team forced to contend with Australian Grand Prix ban
Perez reiterated that the team remains in a ‘strong position’ amid the drama surrounding them, but admitted that Verstappen leaving would be damaging.
“I think the team is in a very strong position because, I mean, with the results we're currently having, the harmony that there is in the team, I think to achieve that it just takes a lot of years probably,” he said.
“And right now the dynamics, everyone in the team is working really well together. The whole engineering group is really united. And you can see that on track and how efficient we've been in the last year. So I think I don't see any reason to change it.
“And it will obviously be a blow for the team if Max were to leave.”
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Newey 'one hour' from forming all-champion F1 line up
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 50 minutes ago
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 2 hours ago
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
- 2 hours ago
Verstappen sent Horner CLEAR message before Newey bombshell
- 3 hours ago
Horner admits Red Bull star may NEVER return to team
- Today 09:57
Related news
Newey exit DATE revealed as Red Bull F1 chief set to leave
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
Red Bull already sending parts to F1 race MONTHS away
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860