On the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix, big news came from the Red Bull camp: Sergio Perez has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the team until 2026. This means he will continue to be teammates with Max Verstappen, who remains under contract until 2028.
Perez joined Red Bull from Racing Point in the 2021 season and played a crucial role in supporting Verstappen’s first World Championship, especially with his efforts in Abu Dhabi. Despite his aspirations to challenge for the title himself, Perez has only managed to secure five Grand Prix wins during his tenure, while Verstappen has enjoyed a series of victories and multiple titles in the past three and a half years.
Perez expressed his enthusiasm about the contract extension, stating, ‘I am very happy to stay here to continue our journey together and to add two more years to the great history of this team. Being part of this team is a great challenge that I love.’ He also mentioned his gratitude towards the team and his commitment to achieving excellent results both on and off the track. However, Perez has not yet claimed a win this season, but he has been on the podium four times, securing second place in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, supported the decision to extend Perez’s contract, acknowledging the recent tough races but emphasizing the team’s confidence in Perez’s abilities. ‘The last few races have been tough,’ Horner said. ‘The field is getting tighter and tighter, but we have confidence in Checo and are looking forward to him returning to his proven form and performance that we see so often.’
Potential replacements like Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda have been considered, but Red Bull remains unconvinced. Ricciardo, who hoped to make a case for himself through Racing Bulls, did not meet expectations, and Tsunoda needs to show consistent performance over a longer period. Carlos Sainz was also a topic of discussion for a potential transfer but will not be returning to Red Bull. Hence, the team has decided to stick with its accomplished driver duo.
Max Verstappen welcomed the news of Perez’s contract extension with enthusiasm. ‘It’s great news that Checo has re-signed with the team until 2026, and I’m pleased that we can continue the successful partnership we’ve built up over the last few years,’ Verstappen said. He recalled the record-breaking season they had and expressed optimism about building on that success.
Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen remains focused on the track. After a challenging Monaco Grand Prix where he finished sixth, he has been working in the simulator to prepare for the unique Montreal circuit. Verstappen leads the drivers’ championship by 31 points from Charles Leclerc, and he is eagerly anticipating the passionate atmosphere and unique environment of the upcoming race in Montreal.
Red Bull’s decision to extend Sergio Perez’s contract solidifies their driver lineup for the coming years, ensuring continuity and stability as the team looks to build on its current success. Both drivers and the team are excited about the future, aiming for more victories and championships together.
