Sergio Perez’s contract negotiations with Red Bull Racing have hit a roadblock, with the Mexican driver’s request for a three-year extension being rejected by the team. Perez, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been in impressive form this year, securing four podiums in the first five races. However, Red Bull Helmut Marko has indicated that the team is not yet ready to commit to a long-term deal with the 34-year-old.
Perez’s contract demands have been met with some resistance from Red Bull, who are wary of the potential availability of other talented drivers in the future. Carlos Sainz and Yuki Tsunoda have both been mentioned as possible candidates to replace Perez, should the Mexican fail to secure a new contract.
For Perez, the rejection of his initial proposal is a setback in his hopes of securing his future with Red Bull. With his current contract expiring at the end of the season, Perez will need to continue his impressive form if he wants to convince the team that he deserves a new deal.
Red Bull, on the other hand, is in a strong position when it comes to driver negotiations. With Max Verstappen already signed to a long-term contract, the team has the luxury of waiting to see how the driver market develops before making a decision on Perez’s future.
It remains to be seen whether Perez will eventually be able to secure a new contract with Red Bull. However, the team’s reluctance to commit to a three-year extension at this stage suggests that the Mexican driver may have to look elsewhere if he wants to continue his Formula 1 career beyond the end of the current season.
