Sergio Perez expects Red Bull future to be decided before next race

Sergio Perez Red Bull — Photo: © LAT Images

Hungarian Grand Prix

Perez expects Red Bull future to be decided before next race

Mexican driver believes decision will be made before Belgium

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Thursday 29 July 2021 17:10 Updated: 17:20

Sergio Perez is confident his F1 future with Red Bull will be decided within the next month and claimed he feels “in a very comfortable position” ahead of the team’s decision.

Perez lost his drive with Racing Point [now Aston Martin] to Sebastian Vettel last year but was given a reprieve when Red Bull signed him on a one-year deal in place of Alex Albon late in the season.

Red Bull can afford to wait as any driver in the frame would be prepared to sit it out to secure a top seat on the F1 grid but Perez is unconcerned.

“Obviously, the sooner you know your future the better," said Perez.

“But I am in a very comfortable position within the team, with my future, so nothing to worry about.

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"I think by Belgium [the race in late August] I will know my future, so I am comfortable how things are and [there is] no reason to look elsewhere.”

Perez verdict: could do better

Perhaps the strongest competition for the Red Bull seat comes from Pierre Gasly, who is currently racing for the sister AlphaTauri team and has been in fine form this season.

The French driver has grown up through the Red Bull driver programme and has already had a spell in the senior team.

Although Gasly was quickly dropped after he failed to shine, recent results have made Red Bull look again.

Perez, who has now started 201 races, won for the team in Azerbaijan, took a podium in France and has finished sixth or higher in eight of the 10 races to date.

Despite this relative success the Mexican still feels his pace is “better than it looks”.

"I think the overall picture, I would have liked to be a bit bigger in terms of points and wins and podiums," added Perez.

“In general terms, I think I have grown up a lot with the team, which was the target in the first 10 races, to get to know each other and the car.

“Overall, the results have not been great in one way but in the other, the pace is better than it looks and it is very small margins here and there.

“We are a couple of points away from third in the championship, we are leading the constructors, so there are positives to take.

"But it’s only 10 races into the season. I think the next 10 are more important.”