Perez: Support role 'not a topic' in new Red Bull contract

Sergio Perez says there is no mention of a support role to teammate Max Verstappen in the new contract the Mexican recently signed with Red Bull.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit has extended its collaboration with Perez until the end of 2024, ensuring continuity within the team and piece of mind for its driver.

"It was signed on Friday before Monaco and we didn't discuss about that," said Perez, referring to a potential provision in his new deal covering a support role.

"There is nothing in my contract that says I need to finish second, or something like that, it was not a topic in the contract at all.

"As a driver you want certainty, you want to get that stress out of the way, so the earlier the better.

"It takes so much energy and so much focus to be a hundred percent weekend by weekend, so you don't need that thinking. So, it was good that we agreed so early on that contract.

"And yeah, I feel like I've got a good opportunity [to compete for the title], but obviously the season is still very young so anything can happen from now."

Perez has undeniably raised his game this season with Red Bull and inched closer to Verstappen on pure pace, and even surpassing his teammate on occasion.

The Monaco Grand Prix winner believes that Formula 1's regulation reset and his familiarity and experience with the Red Bull team have carried his performance to the next level.

• Read also: Red Bull decision to extend Perez's contract 'logical' - Gasly

"I think, last year, we obviously came into set-up regulations that had been there for a while," he said.

"So people who stayed longer in the teams had a good advantage. So coming new to this car, this philosophy of car, it was very difficult for me to adapt and to always extract the maximum.

"He [Verstappen] had a very unique driving style that it took me a while to adapt to, the end of the season was fine, but it just took me too long throughout the season.

"I think, starting from zero, it's a good opportunity for everyone. Especially given that it's my second year with Red Bull.

"I think that's something that makes it already a lot better – knowing my engineers, knowing the people around me, that's a big step and the car. I feel comfortable with it, and I'm able to extract the maximum."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter