Red Bull F1 News: Sergio Perez opens up on contract 'distraction' after tense negotiations

Thumbnail, Video, perez, Monaco — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Perez opens up on Red Bull contract 'distraction' after tense negotiations

The Mexican will stick with the team through the new rules

Chris Deeley

Thursday 13 June 2024 18:00

Sergio Perez has revealed the toll that contract negotiations with his Red Bull team had on himself and his team-mates.

The Mexican has endured a tough time on track recently, failing to make it out of Q1 on two straight occasions and retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix.

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One of last season's three race winners, with Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, Perez has been criticised for failing to provide a true title challenge to his team-mate in matching equipment.

The second Red Bull driver talked about the process leading to his new deal in an FIA press conference before the Canadian Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez retired from the Canadian Grand Prix

Sergio Perez signed a new two-year contract with Red Bull

Perez: Contract negotiations were not nice

"So it's really nice to get this distraction for the team and for myself out of the way so that we can focus on pure performance. And I think that's the best thing for our team." Adding to his thoughts on the team's future, specifically regarding the upcoming regulation changes in 2026, he added: "Well, I think, like you say, there are some great teams making a lot of progress and we've got to do the same.

"I think it's always great to be part of a set of regulations with the team, you know, when you're changing regulations and you're part of that team, you're already working on that, giving some ideas here and there, and it's something really quite nice to have, to be able to be part of that."

Red Bull Sergio Perez FIA Carlos Sainz Canadian Grand Prix