Sabbatical year "not a disaster" with new rules in 2022 - Perez
Sabbatical year "not a disaster" with new rules in 2022 - Perez
Sergio Perez believes a sabbatical year would "not be a disaster" ahead of rejoining Formula 1 in 2022 when new aerodynamic regulations are introduced.
Departing Racing Point driver Perez secured his first F1 victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix after fighting back from last place following contact with Charles Leclerc on the opening lap.
The Mexican, who leaves Racing Point after Sunday's season finale in Abu Dhabi in favour of Sebastian Vettel, is in a straight fight with Alex Albon to lockdown the British-Thai driver's Red Bull seat for next season.
The other option open to Perez is to take a year off from motorsport completely, a situation he does not feel would hinder him should he return in '22 due to the radical rule changes.
"I’ve always said there was a risk, taking a year out at this stage of my career that I am," he said.
"I never know what’s going to happen, if I will have the will to come back [after] doing that. A bad year I decide to stop but after this win, after the last couple of races, I’m so determined to be here, either if it’s next year or the year after.
"I already have some good options for ’22 so my best option is obviously to keep going on next year. But if I have to stop then it’s not a disaster, I can come back in ’22.
"The regulations are going to change so much that in a way, I don’t think it will hurt that much the driving side, to get up to speed. I’m at peace with myself."
The runner-up in Sakhir was Renault's Esteban Ocon who, coincidentally, took his own sabbatical in 2019 after he was also dropped from Racing Point.
Perez used his former team-mate as a mark of how deserving drivers do not always prosper in the sport but that he would nevertheless keep focusing on doing his job to the best of his ability.
"I think we have seen that drivers like [Ocon] have missed out on seats, so it’s just the way Formula 1 is," he explained.
"It can be really tough and not the best drivers are in Formula 1 unfortunately. So we keep pushing and we keep delivering and I think that’s the best way to do it."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Vettel announces F1 return as FIA single Mercedes out for Miami checks - GPFans F1 Recap
- 1 hour ago
F1 team announce SHOCK signing weeks after rival departure
- 2 hours ago
Former team boss quizzed on role in Newey's Red Bull exit
- 3 hours ago
RB reveal STRIKING new livery ahead of Miami GP
- Yesterday 20:57
EXCLUSIVE: Insider claims F1 Academy and W Series couldn't co-exist
- Yesterday 19:57
Wolff delivers big verdict on Hamilton behaviour
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
Former Perez F1 boss reveals who should replace him
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
Perez makes 'game over' admission after Chinese GP disappointment
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