“I am very calm”: Sergio Perez addresses his Red Bull situation after disappointing season

Sergio Perez mentioned that he is "calm" regarding his situation at Red Bull after a rather disappointing 2024 F1 season. He claimed that he gave his all to the team throughout the season which is what is keeping him relaxed.

The Mexican faced a tough drive in the 2024 season as he struggled to compete for podium places. Red Bull also dropped to third place in the constructors' championship from the lead. While his teammate Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive drivers' title, Perez finished in eighth place, with 285 points less than his teammate.

Although he was given a two-year extension keeping him with the team till 2026, speculation of him getting replaced has been flying around the paddock. However, Perez is remaining "calm" regarding his situation.

"I am very calm because I have given everything from start to finish," he told ESPN. "In the end things have not worked out well this season but it wasn't because of the lack of desire and professionalism."

"When you give your all, that's the way an athlete can be calm. And that's how I am, relaxed about whatever comes my way."

Perez failed to finish in Abu Dhabi as a first-lap collision with Valtteri Bottas ended his race early. He suffered three other early retirements during the season.

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Red Bull boss agrees Sergio Perez's early-season contract extension "didn't work"

Sergio Perez was given a two-year extension much earlier in the season back in June. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained that they extended his contract early in the season because his form was strong as he had scored four podiums in the initial races. The team expected him to keep his form going throughout the season, but Horner mentioned that it "didn't work."

"Obviously at the time, Sergio was performing extremely well," F1 quoted him. "I think he had four podiums in the first five races. And in order to settle his mind and extend that run of form for the rest of the season, we elected to go early, which obviously didn't work. So, that's just life sometimes."

He further mentioned that Perez has been an integral part of the team ever since he joined and has been instrumental in performing his duties as the second driver.

"And I think Checo [Sergio Perez], you have to look beyond this year for the contribution that he's made to our team. He's been a great team player. He's a great person. He's extremely popular within the team. He's worked very hard over the four years that he's been with us. And he's played a vital role in the constructors' championships that we've won, the five Grand Prix victories that he had in our car."

"It's been the most successful pairing that we've ever had, finishing first and second in the drivers' championship last year. So I think nobody is more frustrated with the results than Checo, from his own high standards."

Liam Lawson is speculated to be in contention replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025. The 22-year-old drove for VCARB after the team replaced Daniel Ricciardo mid-season.