Max Verstappen has greeted the news of Sergio Perez extending his stay with Red Bull until 2026 with enthusiasm and even hinted at his own future with the team.
Sergio Perez has inked a new deal with Red Bull, putting an end to the speculation about the second seat. While Perez’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of this season, the announcement on Tuesday confirmed that he will remain with the team for the next two seasons.
Max Verstappen, in his first comments since the news broke, expressed his satisfaction with continuing the partnership with Perez. ‘It is great news that Checo has signed with the team until 2026 and I am glad to be able to continue with the successful partnership that we have created over the past few years,’ he said. Verstappen also reflected on their dominant 2023 season and mentioned that he will be in Red Bull colors for at least the next two years. He added, ‘We achieved a record-breaking season last year and the team is very strong, so we are looking forward to building on this success into the next two years as well.’
Verstappen was speaking ahead of the upcoming race in Montreal, a circuit where he previously won in 2022 and 2023. After a challenging weekend in Monaco, he emphasized the importance of preparing the RB20 for the unique track in Canada. ‘Following a more difficult weekend in Monaco, this week I have been with the team back at the factory and in the sim preparing for the Canadian Grand Prix,’ said Verstappen, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by 31 points.
‘The track there is very unique, has some old school kerbs and there are plenty more opportunities for overtaking. It is even more important to have a good set up of the car and find a balance between the straight line speeds as well as good stability under the braking. It is always good to be back racing in Montreal; the scenery is one of a kind, the atmosphere in the city is great and the fans are very passionate.’
With Sergio Perez’s contract extension and Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, the team looks set to continue its strong performance. Fans can look forward to seeing both drivers push the limits and aim for more record-breaking seasons in the years to come.
Source: Planetf1
