Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. Photo / AP
Sergio Perez is staying with Red Bull after signing a two-year contract extension with the Formula 1 team through 2026.
The Mexican driver’s contract had been due to expire at the end of this season. There was speculation he might be replaced after difficulty matching the pace of his
teammate and defending champion Max Verstappen.
The 34-year-old Perez, nicknamed “Checo”, has not won a race since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April 2023, even as Verstappen sealed last year’s title with a record 19 wins. However, Perez has won praise for his defensive driving to keep rivals off Verstappen’s back, especially when he held up Lewis Hamilton before Verstappen took his first title in Abu Dhabi in 2021. Verstappen leads the standings this season with 169 points ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with 138. Perez is fifth with 107.
“I want to thank everyone for all the trust they are putting in me, it is a lot and I want to pay it back with excellent results on track, and off track,” Perez said in a team statement. “I think we have a lot of work to do, we have a lot more Championships to win together.”
