Sergio Perez has revealed that he rejected two offers from other F1 teams to stay with Red Bull for the 2025 season.
Perez signed a contract extension earlier this year, but his performances have come under scrutiny after falling to eighth in the drivers’ standings. As teammate Max Verstappen moves closer to confirming a fourth consecutive championship, the team finds itself third in the constructors’ standings as Perez has recorded just 48 points in the last 15 races.
“I had two opportunities to change teams,” Perez said in an interview with GQwithout revealing who it is. “When I analyzed all this, I said to myself that I love the challenge I have in front of me with Red Bull. »
“It’s a huge challenge to be Max’s teammate. I want to spend the last part of my career at the top, where the pressure is at its peak. »
Team principal Christian Horner has openly criticized Perez’s form this season. Others have called on Red Bull to replace the 34-year-old driver next season. Several names were also raised, including those of young Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto.
Winner of six races, Perez says he is not bothered by these rumors since it comes with being in this position.
“It’s the nature of sport. “As soon as you have one or two bad races, there’s a lot of negative talk about you,” Perez told GQ.
Perez has not won a race this year. His last podium dates back to April, in China. With three rounds remaining, he trails Lewis Hamilton by 39 points and George Russell by 41. Red Bull is 13 points behind Ferrari and 49 behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
“When you have a bad time, there is a lot of gossip. But in reality, 90% of the people on the starting grid would like to have the career I have. »
“When you’re a driver, you only think about the next race, the next challenge, the next stage, the next contract… Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and realize how far you’ve come been traveled. It’s a very brutal sport. »
