Sergio Perez’s contract expires on the finish of this yr however he’s “relaxed” in regards to the scenario after some robust ends in the opening 4 occasions; F1 returns to Shanghai for the primary time in 5 years for the Chinese Grand Prix on April 19-21, reside on Sky Sports F1

Sergio Perez believes he can have readability over his F1 future “in a month” however workforce principal Christian Horner says Red Bull are “not in a huge rush” to finalise their 2025 driver line-up.

Perez is considered one of 12 drivers and not using a contract for subsequent yr however has loved a robust begin to the season with three second locations from 4 races, along with his newest podium coming at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The Mexican got here into the season below stress to maintain his seat after a largely disappointing second half of 2023, the place he was typically a great distance off Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso are among the many drivers out of contract on the finish of this yr and each have been linked to Red Bull.

However, Perez is seemingly doing all he can to maintain his seat alongside Verstappen, whose present deal expires in 2028.

“I’m very relaxed about it. It’s my 14th season in F1. Whatever comes next, I’m really pleased with what I’ve done in the sport so far and I believe it will be a matter of time,” Perez informed Sky Sports F1.

“The driver market is moving and the next few weeks, there will be a lot of movement for sure. I expect in a month to really know what I’m doing next year.”

Horner: Few extra races earlier than we take into consideration 2025

Perez certified simply 0.066s behind pole-sitter Verstappen earlier than coming by way of properly within the race on a two-stop technique the place he wanted to overhaul a number of automobiles.

His two strikes on the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the quick left-hand flick of 130R had been the highlights on his strategy to second place.

Daniel Ricciardo’s disappointing begin to the season at RB, Red Bull’s sister workforce, has actually helped Perez’s probabilities of conserving his seat, and Horner says his driver must “keep up what he’s doing”.

“The whole driver market seems to be very early this year,” stated Horner.

“Everybody seems to be rushing around and we’re only four races into the year. We are not in a huge rush and obviously there’s a significant amount of interest in our cars, as you would expect.

“Checo has the precedence and it is going to be just a few extra races but earlier than we begin to consider subsequent yr.”

Perez hasn’t won a race since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 12 months ago, with Verstappen winning 20 races in that time.

Red Bull’s three one-twos from the opening four events have given them a 21-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship over Ferrari.

If Ferrari can get nearer or on par with Red Bull later within the season, Perez’s performances might be essential for the workforce to safe their third consecutive constructors’ title.

Horner had stated on the Australian Grand Prix in March that “sometimes you’ve got to look outside the pool as well” when discussing who might be Verstappen’s team-mate in 2025 however at Suzuka he confirmed clear help for Perez, who’s “very popular” within the workforce in response to the Red Bull boss.

“It’s his seat to lose. He’s doing a great job and qualified within a tenth of a second from Max. It was by far his best qualifying performance around at Suzuka,” Horner added to Sky Sports F1.

“You can see his confidence is growing. His performance in the race, again, was very strong. He’s doing exactly what was needed of him.”

Horner reveals dropping wager to Perez – who owed Ecclestone

Perez had his greatest qualifying in almost a yr when he began second on Sunday to provide Red Bull their first entrance row lockout for the reason that 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Horner revealed he had a wager with Perez to get onto the entrance row, which the Mexican gained by qualifying second.

“I had a bet with him because his best qualifying performance had been P4 here, so I had a bet with him to put it on the front row,” he stated.

“Somehow, having won the bet, he told me he owed Bernie Ecclestone exactly the same amount of money, so has passed the bet onto Bernie, who was the beneficiary of Checo’s front row. So dear old Bernie is still making money, whilst not even being here!”

Next up is the return of the Chinese Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can be the primary Sprint weekend of the season. You can watch each session reside on Sky Sports F1 and steam every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW

Stream Sky Sports reside with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant entry to reside motion from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket, Tennis and a lot extra.