Sergio Perez and the challenge with Daniel Ricciardo
He went from the risk of being left without a seat to winning the internal battle with Daniel Ricciardo for the role of Max Verstappen’s deputy in just a few days. And with the Australian driver stepping aside to make way for Liam Lawson’s (second) debut, Sergio Perez’s future might seem a little less uncertain than before. At least in the short term, as there is already talk of a showdown with Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson for 2025, and even the possibility of his imminent retirement from racing. In fact, although denying the increasingly persistent rumors of his potential farewell announcement in Mexico City, the 34-year-old Mexican himself has said he does not intend to stay in F1 for much longer.
Is Sergio Perez considering retirement?
“The calendar is very heavy with 24 races a year,” said Sergio Perez, quoted by the Spanish newspaper *Marca*. “But I will still be in F1 for at least another two seasons. I don’t think I’ll stay for too long, but I have a two-year contract, which in this sport is a long time. However, I know the end of my career is approaching. I greatly admire Fernando Alonso and what he’s able to do at his age (the Spaniard was born in 1981 and has already turned 43), but I don’t think I’ll race for that long.” – the Mexican driver pointed out.
“It’s not that I wouldn’t want to,” he continued, “but I have children who are still young, and I’d also like to spend time with them. Retirement? Yes, I’ve thought about it in the last six months, but every time it only took me three seconds to decide to continue. After so many years of my career, the easiest choice would have been to stop, walk away, and in a sense, give it all up. But I could never forgive myself for such a move.” So, retirement is on the radar, but not imminent.
The tough comparison with Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez also talked about how difficult it has been to drive alongside Max Verstappen, especially this season, probably his worst since joining Red Bull in 2021: “This season has been very tough. It was hard to accept having a car with limitations but at the same time not being able to say anything because my teammate was winning. Max was driving incredibly well, and the gap between us kept growing. My future? I’d like to be the one to decide when to stop; I wouldn’t want someone else to impose it on me. That’s my main goal. In the end, people always forget to talk about contracts, and I just signed one. There are always lots of rumors, but I was never really worried (about losing the seat) because I knew my situation well.” – the Mexican driver concluded.
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