Antonio Perez Garibay, the father of Sergio Perez, is unworried about the possibility of his son being left off the Formula 1 roster post-2024. Despite Red Bull’s refusal to extend the 34-year-old Mexican driver’s contract for three additional years, Dr. Helmut Marko, a senior advisor at Red Bull, has indicated that Perez is still in contention for a seat next to Max Verstappen for the following season.
Dr. Marko, speaking this week, acknowledged Perez’s enhanced performance early this season. “It makes me happy that Sergio is showing stronger performances in this first part of the season than he did a year ago,” he noted in his column for Speed Week.
Marko further elaborated on Perez’s strategic shift in racing approach, contrasting it with his tactics from the previous year. “Checo no longer goes into the race with the aim of beating Max at all costs. What I mean by that is that in 2023 he almost desperately went his own way when the speed wasn’t right, to try to get closer to Max using a different setup. But he’s given up on that,” he explained.
However, Marko expressed concerns regarding Perez’s ability to fully leverage his skills when faced with track congestion due to qualifying poorly. “When he is stuck in traffic, he is less able to make use of his qualities as a tyre whisperer,” he added.
Recently, Marko has frequently mentioned McLaren driver Lando Norris, highlighting his improved dominance over teammate Oscar Piastri. “He makes a big impression,” he stated, “and has Oscar Piastri more under control than last year.”
Mathias Lauda, son of Niki Lauda, pointed out the advantageous dynamic between Verstappen and Perez from Max’s perspective. “The problem is that Max feels very comfortable with Perez. No top driver wants a teammate who can annoy him,” he observed.
As discussions about Perez’s future with Red Bull continue, his father referenced Fernando Alonso’s enduring career to illustrate Perez’s potential longevity in the sport. “Look at (Fernando) Alonso,” he remarked, “Checo can be there (in F1) for ten more years.”
Speculation about Perez’s alternative options if Red Bull does not renew his contract suggests Aston Martin might be a viable option. This speculation gains traction considering Aston Martin’s hesitation to confirm an extension with Lance Stroll, the team owner’s son.
Antonio Perez is confident about the multiple avenues available to his son. “Checo has many scenarios,” he assured in an interview with Relevo. He also highlighted Sergio’s unparalleled marketability. “He is the most sought-after driver in F1 today, and the one with the most sponsors – more than Max and (Lewis) Hamilton combined. Companies all over the world rely on him. There is never any of his merchandising left because it always sells out so quickly,” he proudly claimed.
GMM
