Sergio Perez reveals he knew "a long time ago" he was safe at Red Bull for 2022

Perez, Red Bull, Austria — Photo: © LAT Images

Sergio Perez

Perez reveals he knew "a long time ago" he was safe at Red Bull for 2022

Red Bull confirmed Perez for next season at Spa

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 1 September 2021 08:00

Sergio Perez has revealed he knew "a long time ago" he would continue driving with Red Bull in the 2022 F1 season.

Perez initially signed only a one-year deal with the team when he joined at the end of last year after he had been released by Racing Point, who had opted to bring in four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.

After initially struggling to get to grips with the car, Perez was on hand to secure his first win with the team in Azerbaijan after team-mate Max Verstappen had suffered a tyre blowout, following up with a third place in France.

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The Mexican, who is currently on a run of three races without a point, was confirmed by Red Bull for next year ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

"I went into the summer break knowing what I was going to do," said Perez.

"But obviously everyone went on holiday, so it took us longer to get it [the contract] ready, and I signed once everyone was back.

"But we committed a long time ago. It was a couple of races ago that Helmut [Marko] and Christian [Horner] told me they're very happy to keep me, and that I shouldn't be looking anywhere else.

"They wanted to continue with me, and vice-versa, so it was just clear for both sides that we wanted to continue."

Perez has confirmed to receiving no other offers from elsewhere, adding: "I never spoke to anyone really. It was pretty clear I wanted to continue here and vice versa."

Perez happy with stability but still pressure from Red Bull

Despite Perez's future now secure through to the end of next year, he maintains the pressure to perform is still there.

That is understandable given Red Bull has shown it is unafraid to change drivers during the course of a season.

Suggested to Perez the pressure was now off, he replied: "Not really, to be honest.

"I've been so long in the sport. The only reason I'm here is that every single weekend I want to do better and maximise.

"It's not like when I have a bad day I think 'Well, I have a contract'. It's not like that. You are at this level because you are hungry for it.

"So it doesn't really change anything. It's something that gives you more work, to be thinking going forwards how to help the team, you can be more open with them, and vice versa.

"Having that stability is where it helps basically."