Sergio Perez admitted he will have to “see what happens” about his seat at Red Bull in 2025 after a dismal end to the championship in Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull driver’s woeful season ended on a low note when he retired from the final race at Yas Marina on the opening lap.
Perez was involved in a collision at turn six on the first lap of the race with Valtteri Bottas sending Perez spinning towards the rear of the field. Although he continued, he lost drive in his car and pulled off the circuit into retirement at the exit of turn nine.
“It’s been so difficult the whole year,” said Perez. “It just sums it up.
“It was very unfortunate. I got hit by Bottas there. That was really, really difficult what happened there, unfortunately. So from then on, we can just look forward. It’s been a very, very difficult year.”
Despite signing a contract extension with Red Bull early in the year, Perez has been plagued with rumours and speculation about his future at the team following his consistent struggles with his RB20 and failure to come even close to the performance level of championship winning team mate Max Verstappen. Although he has remained adamant he would be in the Red Bull in 2025, he was far less assured after the race.
“We know how difficult this year has been,” he said. So I think it’s just a matter of discussing what’s best for everyone going forward. And we’ll see what happens.
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“At the moment, it’s all I know. I’ve got a contract to drive next year, so it will be down to reaching an agreement hopefully, and see what the team wants to do.”
Perez ended the season eighth in the drivers’ championship on 152 points, his lowest tally and finishing position of his Red Bull tenure and 285 points fewer than his team mate.
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2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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