Nothing “has been signed”: Sergio Pérez on standby at Red Bull
Sergio Pérez has still not signed a contract for next season. The Mexican said he was fully focused on the weekend in Monaco, after a difficult Grand Prix in Imola.
Sergio Perez insisted that he is fully focused on the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend to bounce back after a poor performance last time in Imola.
The Red Bull driver experienced his worst weekend of the campaign at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, being eliminated in Q2 before finishing eighth on race day. With McLaren’s improved performances and Ferrari in recent weeks, Perez’s chances of regularly finishing on the podium are becoming increasingly difficult.
He will have to prove that his weekend in Imola was an isolated incident to secure a fifth year with Red Bull. Rumors say that he rejected Red Bull’s one-year contract offer because he wants more security.
« As I said before, my main goal for this weekend is not my contract. I know that negotiations are ongoing and at some point, we will know and you will be the first to know. But the most important thing now is not to think about one year, two years, or three years, it’s about this weekend and Saturday, that’s my only concern, he said at the press conference.
« It’s not a question of percentage or anything else, as long as it’s not signed, no matter how close you are. Nothing has been signed yet, and anyway, the focus right now is not on my contract, it’s mainly on this weekend.
Perez had won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022. He is often considered a specialist in street circuits. Assessing his chances of a second victory in the principality, Perez said: “Yes, I think I know that it all plays out on Saturday. If we are not on the first or third row, we have no chance of winning the race. So, it is important to be able to qualify on the first or second row at least.”
Perez can rely on the support of Red Bull boss, Christian Horner. Yes, I think Christian is well aware of what is going on. I think we had an excellent season until Imola, he explained. Imola was tough, and that’s it. I think it’s important in my season to reduce those bad days, and then it will be a great year because I think I’m in great shape and I’m really happy and competitive with the car. There is no reason why we cannot maintain this momentum.
