Sergio Perez has signed a additional new two-year contract to stay at Red Bull in Formula 1 until the end of 2028

Sergio Perez has signed a new two-year contract to stay at Red Bull in Formula 1 until the end of 2026.

 

The world champions have decided to stick with the Mexican, who joined the team in 2021, rather than switch him for Carlos Sainz, who is available following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari from 2025.

 

Team principal Christian Horner said: “Continuity and stability are important for the team and both Checo and Max [Verstappen] are a successful and robust partnership.”

 

Horner’s decision comes despite a dip in form for Perez in the past three races in Miami, Imola and Monaco, where he finished fourth, eighth and crashed out on the first lap after qualifying 16th.

 

Horner said: “The past few races have been tough, there is convergence on the grid, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see.”

 

Perez said: “I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together. Being part of the team is an immense challenge and one I love.

 

“We have a great challenge this year and I have full trust in the whole team that the future is bright here, and I am excited to be part of it.”

 

Verstappen won three of the first four races of the season and took pole position at the first seven grands prix.

 

But the Dutchman, who produced the most dominant season in F1 history in 2023, has won only once in the past three races as Red Bull have faced a renewed challenge from McLaren and Ferrari.

 

McLaren’s Lando Norris beat Verstappen in Miami and the world champion could finish only sixth at the last race in Monaco, where Charles Leclerc won for Ferrari.

 

that the team would fall apart if Horner stayed in his role, and Jos Verstappen and Horner are currently at loggerheads.

 

Verstappen is not expected to leave Red Bull for 2025, but the possibility remains open for 2026.

 

Although his contract with Red Bull is until the end of 2028, BBC Sport has been told Verstappen has a contractual mechanism by which he can leave whenever he wishes.

 

This is tied to the position of Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, an ally of the Verstappens. If Marko leaves Red Bull, Verstappen is contractually free to go, too, and the Austrian is said to have pledged to act in whatever way Verstappen wishes for his future.