Perez defiant on retirement speculation: ‘I’ll quit when I’m ready’

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Sergio Perez has a clear message for anyone concerned: the Mexican will choose his own time and place when he announces his retirement from Formula 1.

The 2024 season has been a particularly tough one for Perez. While his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen continues to lead the Drivers' championship, Perez is the only driver among the top eight in the standings without a win to his name this year.

In fact, the 34-year-old hasn't secured a podium finish in 13 races, a streak that stretches all the way back to last April's Chinese Grand Prix.

Perez's underperformance led to speculation that Red Bull might consider replacing him after F1's summer break, which did not come to pass, or for 2025, despite his current contract extending until the end of 2025.

Perez has admitted that the scrutiny made him briefly consider walking away from the sport. But in the end, he insists he'll retire on his own terms, not because of external pressure.

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“These past six months I did think about it, but it took me three seconds to make the decision,” DAZN told .

“In the end, it would be the easy route, after so many years to quit and kind of give up. I would never have forgiven myself for that.

“I want to finish my career when I want and not when someone tells me. That's my main focus: to get to the point where I can decide my future.

“For now I am very motivated, to be honest, I really want to continue in F1. I enjoy it. Especially the good times you really enjoy, but you also learn to enjoy the bad ones.”

©RedBull

With 39 podiums and six grand prix victories to his name, Perez knows he's already had a successful career. But he also knows time is catching up.

“For now I have two more years on my contract, and two years in F1 is a long time, but I know that the end is getting closer,” he added..

When that end comes, Perez hints that family will play a significant role in his decision. Unlike Fernando Alonso, who continues to race at 43, Perez doesn't see himself competing in F1 into his forties.

“I don't see myself racing here like Fernando [Alonso, 43], for example, whom I admire greatly for everything he does at his age,” he explained.

“It's not that I wouldn't like to, but because I have small children and I want to spend a lot more time with them. At the end of the day, they will be the limiting factor.”

The expanded 24-race calendar is another factor making Perez reconsider the long-term future of his F1 career.

“With 24 races a year, the calendar is already complicated, but I will be here for at least two more years,” he added. “However, I don't see myself in Formula 1 for much longer.”

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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.