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Sergio Perez believes he can have readability over his F1 future “in a month” however workforce principal Christian Horner says Purple Bull are “not in an enormous rush” to finalise their 2025 driver line-up.
Perez is one in all 12 drivers and not using a contract for subsequent 12 months however has loved a robust begin to the season with three second locations from 4 races, together with his newest podium coming at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Mexican got here into the season underneath stress to maintain his seat after a largely disappointing second half of 2023, the place he was usually a good distance off Purple 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 12 months and each have been linked to Purple Bull.
Nonetheless, Perez is seemingly doing all he can to maintain his seat alongside Verstappen, whose present deal expires in 2028.
“I am very relaxed about it. It is my 14th season in F1. No matter comes subsequent, I am actually happy with what I’ve finished within the sport thus far and I imagine will probably be a matter of time,” Perez informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“The driving force market is transferring and the subsequent few weeks, there might be numerous motion for positive. I count on in a month to essentially know what I am doing subsequent 12 months.”
Horner: Few extra races earlier than we take into consideration 2025
Perez certified simply 0.066s behind pole-sitter Verstappen earlier than coming by 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 method to second place.
Daniel Ricciardo’s disappointing begin to the season at RB, Purple Bull’s sister workforce, has actually helped Perez’s probabilities of holding his seat, and Horner says his driver must “sustain what he is doing”.
“The entire driver market appears to be very early this 12 months,” mentioned Horner.
“All people appears to be dashing round and we’re solely 4 races into the 12 months. We aren’t in an enormous rush and clearly there is a vital quantity of curiosity in our automobiles, as you’ll count on.
“Checo has the precedence and it is going to be just a few extra races but earlier than we begin to consider subsequent 12 months.”
Perez hasn’t received a race because the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 12 months in the past, with Verstappen successful 20 races in that point.
Purple Bull’s three one-twos from the opening 4 occasions have given them a 21-point lead within the Constructors’ Championship over Ferrari.
If Ferrari can get nearer or on par with Purple Bull later within the season, Perez’s performances might be essential for the workforce to safe their third consecutive constructors’ title.
Horner had mentioned on the Australian Grand Prix in March that “generally you have to look outdoors the pool as properly” when discussing who might be Verstappen’s team-mate in 2025 however at Suzuka he confirmed clear assist for Perez, who’s “very fashionable” within the workforce in response to the Purple Bull boss.
“It is his seat to lose. He is doing a terrific job and certified inside a tenth of a second from Max. It was by far his finest qualifying efficiency round at Suzuka,” Horner added to Sky Sports activities F1.
“You may see his confidence is rising. His efficiency within the race, once more, was very sturdy. He is doing precisely what was wanted of him.”
Horner reveals dropping wager to Perez – who owed Ecclestone
Perez had his finest qualifying in practically a 12 months when he began second on Sunday to offer Purple Bull their first entrance row lockout because the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner revealed he had a wager with Perez to get onto the entrance row, which the Mexican received by qualifying second.
“I had a wager with him as a result of his finest qualifying efficiency had been P4 right here, so I had a wager with him to place it on the entrance row,” he mentioned.
“One way or the other, having received the wager, he informed me he owed Bernie Ecclestone precisely the identical sum of money, so has handed the wager onto Bernie, who was the beneficiary of Checo’s entrance row. So pricey previous Bernie continues to be creating wealth, while not even being right here!”
Subsequent up is the return of the Chinese language Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can be the primary Dash weekend of the season. You may watch each session stay on Sky Sports activities F1 and steam each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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