Sergio Perez’s Red Bull contract expires at the end of this season and, though the Mexican could earn a new deal, the F1 champions are considering all the options available to them.
Red Bull is hesitant to agree to Sergio Perez’s request for a multi-year contract, as they are contemplating giving Alex Albon a fairytale comeback to his previous seat.
Perez’s impressive performance at the start of the season, with three podium finishes in the first four races, has certainly boosted his chances of securing a new deal. Additionally, his qualifying results have significantly improved compared to the previous year.
Red Bull’s current position regarding the second seat next to Max Verstappen is that it belongs to Perez to lose. The 34-year-old has put himself back in the running for a spot with F1’s leading team in 2025.
However, it appears that this may not happen unless he compromises on one of his crucial contract requests. Perez is seeking a multi-year agreement to guarantee his spot on the F1 grid in 2026, but Red Bull is inclined to leave the seat open for the foreseeable future.
Red Bull is hesitant to provide Perez with a secure contract for two years because they fear he might become complacent. Helmut Marko, the influential advisor who has a say in driver selection for both of Red Bull’s F1 teams, expressed this concern after the Japanese Grand Prix.
Additionally, Red Bull is considering the possibility of reintegrating Albon into their team, which is another reason why they are reluctant to commit to a long-term deal with Perez. After being replaced by Perez in the 2020 season, Albon was left without a drive for the following year.
In 2022, he made his comeback to the F1 grid with Williams, thanks to a deal facilitated by Christian Horner. His exceptional displays on the track led to a long-term contract, putting an end to Albon’s formal association with Red Bull. Furthermore, his outstanding performances last year have once again placed him in contention for top-tier seats.
Despite Williams affirming that Albon has a contract until 2025 and expressing their reluctance to release their star driver, Albon himself feels a certain loyalty towards the team based in Oxfordshire. However, at the age of 28, he recognizes that he is approaching his prime and desires to utilize it by competing for race victories and podium finishes, rather than languishing at the rear of the grid.
Red Bull has not made an official offer to Albon, despite what some sources have claimed. Nevertheless, it is known that the F1 champions have requested the first chance to sign him for a 2026 contract, positioning themselves well to secure him if he maintains his strong performance.
If Red Bull decides to stick with their plan, they will have to find a temporary solution for that seat next year. If Perez is open to a 12-month extension and the chance to fill in until Albon returns, he might just secure a new deal after all.
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