[ad_1]
Sergio Perez believes he could have readability over his F1 future “in a month” however group principal Christian Horner says Purple Bull are “not in an enormous rush” to finalise their 2025 driver line-up.
Perez is considered one of 12 drivers and not using a contract for subsequent 12 months however has loved a powerful begin to the season with three second locations from 4 races, together with his newest podium coming at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Mexican got here into the season beneath strain to maintain his seat after a largely disappointing second half of 2023, the place he was usually a great distance off Purple Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso are among the many drivers out of contract on the finish of this 12 months and each have been linked to Purple Bull.
Nevertheless, Perez is seemingly doing all he can to maintain his seat alongside Verstappen, whose present deal expires in 2028.
“I am very relaxed about it. It is my 14th season in F1. No matter comes subsequent, I am actually happy with what I’ve completed within the sport up to now and I imagine it is going to be a matter of time,” Perez informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“The motive force market is shifting and the subsequent few weeks, there shall be loads of motion for positive. I anticipate in a month to actually know what I am doing subsequent 12 months.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Ted Kravitz is within the paddock to evaluation all the largest tales from the Japanese Grand Prix.
Horner: Few extra races earlier than we take into consideration 2025
Perez certified simply 0.066s behind pole-sitter Verstappen earlier than coming by means of properly within the race on a two-stop technique the place he wanted to overhaul a number of automobiles.
His two strikes on the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the quick left-hand flick of 130R had been the highlights on his strategy to second place.
Daniel Ricciardo’s disappointing begin to the season at RB, Purple Bull’s sister group, has definitely helped Perez’s possibilities of maintaining his seat, and Horner says his driver must “sustain what he is doing”.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon tangle on flip three of the opening lap inflicting a purple flag on the Japanese Grand Prix.
“The entire driver market appears to be very early this 12 months,” stated Horner.
“All people appears to be dashing round and we’re solely 4 races into the 12 months. We’re not in an enormous rush and clearly there is a vital quantity of curiosity in our automobiles, as you’d anticipate.
“Checo has the precedence and it will be a couple of extra races but earlier than we begin to consider subsequent 12 months.”
Perez hasn’t received a race because the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 12 months in the past, with Verstappen profitable 20 races in that point.
Purple Bull’s three one-twos from the opening 4 occasions have given them a 21-point lead within the Constructors’ Championship over Ferrari.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lewis Hamilton loses two grid locations as he is overtaken by Lando Norris and Sergio Perez, again to again.
If Ferrari can get nearer or on par with Purple Bull later within the season, Perez’s performances shall be essential for the group to safe their third consecutive constructors’ title.
Horner had stated on the Australian Grand Prix in March that “generally you have to look outdoors the pool as properly” when discussing who shall be Verstappen’s team-mate in 2025 however at Suzuka he confirmed clear help for Perez, who’s “extremely popular” within the group in keeping with the Purple Bull boss.
“It is his seat to lose. He is doing a fantastic job and certified inside a tenth of a second from Max. It was by far his greatest qualifying efficiency round at Suzuka,” Horner added to Sky Sports activities F1.
“You may see his confidence is rising. His efficiency within the race, once more, was very sturdy. He is doing precisely what was wanted of him.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Max Verstappen believes Purple Bull will be capable of do even higher because the season progresses, following his win in Japan.
Horner reveals shedding guess to Perez – who owed Ecclestone
Perez had his greatest qualifying in almost a 12 months when he began second on Sunday to offer Purple Bull their first entrance row lockout because the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner revealed he had a guess with Perez to get onto the entrance row, which the Mexican received by qualifying second.
“I had a guess with him as a result of his greatest qualifying efficiency had been P4 right here, so I had a guess with him to place it on the entrance row,” he stated.
“Someway, having received the guess, he informed me he owed Bernie Ecclestone precisely the identical amount of cash, so has handed the guess onto Bernie, who was the beneficiary of Checo’s entrance row. So pricey previous Bernie continues to be earning profits, while not even being right here!”
Subsequent up is the return of the Chinese language Grand Prix on April 19-21, which can be the primary Dash weekend of the season. You may watch each session reside on Sky Sports activities F1 and steam every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports activities reside with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Prompt entry to reside motion from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket, Tennis and a lot extra.
[ad_2]
Source link
