Sergio Perez scoffs at retirement rumours on Reddit, claims he is ‘just laughing’ at those

Sergio Perez's last tasted victory back in April at the Azerbaijan GP.

Sergio Perez scoffs at retirement rumours on Reddit, claims he is ‘just laughing’ at those

Sergio Perez, Red Bull (Credits: IMAGO)

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has faced a tumultuous season that has left many speculating about his future in Formula 1. While his teammate, Max Verstappen, celebrated a dominant championship victory, Perez found himself battling a string of disappointments, raising questions about his potential retirement. However, Perez has now addressed these rumors with candor.

This season was tough for Perez in the Red Bull RB19 car. He only got two wins and eight podium finishes. Max Verstappen outshone him, winning the championship with five races left. The turning point happened at the Qatar Grand Prix. In the Sprint race, Perez’s car stopped, and on race day, he got three penalties for going off the track, ending up 10th while Verstappen won with a flawless performance.

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As speculation swirled about his future, rumors suggested that Perez might be shown the door by Red Bull or that he might consider retiring from the sport altogether at his home race, the Mexican GP. However, speaking to Autosport.com, Perez dispelled these rumours stating, “I’m just laughing at it. There’s nothing I can do. I am fully focused on my job. That really sums up my season.”

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The Mexican driver has a contract that puts him with the Austrian team at least until the end of 2024. However, with Red Bull’s oft-noticed mid-season swaps, speculations hinted at him being replaced prematurely. Addressing these rumors, Perez said, “I’m going to give my very best to it. I’ve made a commitment. But more than that, it will not be my final contract in F1.”

Discover: Sergio Perez proclaims he will perform at his best at the US GP

Sergio Perez claims he “loves the challenge” of getting back to the top

Perez’s season had an encouraging start, with him and Verstappen trading wins in the early races. However, his performance took a sharp downturn, which he attributes to the development trajectory of the RB19, making corner entry a formidable challenge for him. He emphasized his commitment to overcoming this phase and returning to peak performance.

Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez (Credits: Racing News 365)

“It is difficult, of course,” Perez acknowledged. “It’s not ideal when you go through a patch, a difficult period of your career. But I just love the challenge of getting back at it.” With astute confidence, he declared his imminent return to peak performance. He acknowledged that quitting during challenging times might be the easiest choice, but he emphasized he is not that person and “will not give up.”

Perez affirmed his focus on racing, dismissing retirement as the simple way out. At 33 years old, Perez believes he still has several productive years ahead of him in F1. The Red Bull driver expressed his desire to continue with Red Bull but recognized that the partnership must work well for both sides.

As Perez prepares for the United States GP, he has put to rest the rumors and speculations about his retirement. He now faces the task of maintaining his runner-up spot and defending it against Lewis Hamilton closing in on him. He aims to quell the rumors of a Red Bull ultimatum and achieve his best-ever season finish.

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