Red Bull’s Sergio Perez is reportedly considering ending his Formula 1 career after his home race in Mexico next month, according to F1 pundit Joe Saward. Perez, who has been under immense pressure since mid-2023, has struggled to deliver consistent performances despite Red Bull’s continued faith in him. Earlier this year, the team even extended a two-year contract offer, but the Mexican driver’s on-track results haven’t improved significantly, particularly when it comes to supporting his dominant teammate, Max Verstappen.
Rumors of Perez being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo mid-season swirled as his performances faltered. However, Red Bull held off on making any immediate changes, choosing to see how Perez would perform on circuits where he has traditionally been strong, such as Baku and Singapore. Despite these efforts, Perez’s future remained uncertain.
In his blog, *The Green Notebook*, Saward delved deeper into a potential plan for Perez’s exit. He revealed that Perez and Red Bull might have agreed on a strategy that would allow the driver to announce his retirement at the Mexican Grand Prix. This move would not only offer Perez a more dignified departure but also spare Red Bull from the public relations fallout of firing one of its star drivers. Additionally, it would soften the blow to Red Bull’s sales in the Americas, a key market for the team. According to Saward, this plan would also give Red Bull the freedom to explore new driver options for the 2025 season.
This isn’t the first time the idea of Perez’s retirement has made headlines. Earlier in the year, Perez himself addressed these rumors, acknowledging that he had considered the possibility of stepping away from the sport.
In a candid interview with DAZN, Perez admitted that thoughts of retirement had crossed his mind over the past few months. He reflected on how easy it would be to walk away after a long career in Formula 1 but ultimately decided that quitting wasn’t an option he could live with. Perez said that while he had moments of doubt, the decision to continue racing took him only a few seconds.
“I did think about [retirement] these past six months,” Perez explained. “But it took me three seconds to make the decision. After so many years, it would’ve been the easy route, to just quit and give up. But I would never have forgiven myself for that.”
Despite the pressure and challenges he faces, Perez emphasized that he wants to retire on his own terms rather than being forced out. “I want to finish my career when I want to, not when someone tells me. That’s my main focus—to reach the point where I can decide my future,” Perez said. With two years remaining on his current contract, the 34-year-old acknowledged that time in Formula 1 is running out, but he remains determined to continue for as long as possible.
“I know the end is getting closer, but for now, I still have two more years on my contract,” Perez added. “And two years in F1 is a long time.”
Red Bull, while standing by Perez for now, has been openly eyeing potential replacements. Names like George Russell and Oscar Piastri have been floated as possible candidates for a future Red Bull seat, especially with Perez’s inconsistent results this season. Despite being part of a top-tier team, Perez has yet to secure a victory this year, with his best results being three second-place finishes in Bahrain, Jeddah, and Suzuka.
As the 2023 season nears its conclusion, speculation continues to mount about Perez’s future. The upcoming Mexican Grand Prix could serve as the perfect stage for Perez to make his retirement announcement, allowing him to exit the sport on home soil, surrounded by his passionate fanbase. For now, both Perez and Red Bull remain tight-lipped about what lies ahead, but all eyes will be on Mexico as fans and pundits alike await the next chapter in this unfolding story.
Sergio Perez Set for Retirement in Mexico!
