Red Bull confirms Perez contract extension until 2026

©RedBull

Red Bull Racing has announced that it has awarded a two-year contract extension to Sergio Perez, a deal that will see the Mexican race alongside Max Verstappen until the end of the 2026 season.

Perez joined Red Bull in 2021 and over the course of the past three seasons, and including this year’s run of eight races, the 34-year-old has claimed five wins and 29 podiums with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Perez renewal was expected given his strong opening performances this season and despite a recent slump that has kept him off the podium since China.

However, it was anticipated that the six-time Grand Prix winner would perhaps be forced to accept a one-year contract, with Red Bull keeping its options open for 2026, the first year of Formula 1’s next-generation cars and engines. This has obviously not been the case.

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

“Continuity and stability are important for the Team and both Checo and Max are a successful and robust partnership, securing our first ever one-two finish for the Team in the Championship last year.

Read also: Verstappen wary of more struggles for RB20 in ‘bumpy’ Montreal

“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.

“Last year was a unicorn season and we will need to work hard to retain our titles, but we are assured in our line up and with the Team as a whole, which is imperative in what is shaping up to be a close fought Championship this year.”

Perez’s new deal puts an end to the speculation surrounding a possible arrival of Carlos Sainz at Red Bull, while RB’s Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are now also clearly out of the picture.

“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,” said Checo.

“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.

“I want to thank everyone for all the trust they are putting in me, it is a lot and I want to pay it back with excellent results on track, and off track. I think we have a lot of work to do, we have a lot more Championships to win together.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.