Sergio Perez remaining with F1’s Red Bull until 2026

Red Bull Racing has locked up its driver lineup for next season and beyond, agreeing to a two-year contract extension with Sergio Perez.

Perez was in the final year of his deal and there were questions about his future after a few tough finishes this year including a DNF at Monaco and 11th at Imola.

“I am really happy to commit my future to this great team. It is a challenge like no other racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, both on track and off track,” he said in a statement.

“I am delighted to be staying here to continue our journey together and contribute to this team’s great history for two more years. 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.”

Perez finished second in the driver’s championship last season behind teammate Max Verstappen, finishing with two wins despite struggling with qualifying but overcame that thanks to a strong Red Bull car.

There was also speculation Mercedes wanted to consider Verstappen as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen denied those rumours and has said to be committed long-term at Red Bull.

“Now is an important time to confirm our line-up for 2025 and we are very pleased to continue working together with Checo,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said in a statement.

“Continuity and stability are important for the team and both Checo and Max [Verstappen] are a successful and robust partnership, securing our first ever one-two finish for the team in the championship last year. Checo has had a strong start to 2024 with second places in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan and then his podium in China. 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.”

With Perez staying at Red Bull, Carlos Sainz is running out of options for the 2025 season. The Ferrari driver is getting replaced by Hamilton who announced the surprising decision to leave Mercedes back in February.