Ted Kravitz heard something from Sergio Perez in Qatar that suggests he wants to leave Red Bull

Sergio Perez is under immense pressure to keep his seat at Red Bull beyond 2024 as the season heads to the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The Mexican has been considerably outperformed by his teammate Max Verstappen since he joined the team in 2021, much like several other Red Bull drivers that have partnered the Dutchman in the past such as Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.

Perez finished last season in second in the championship, but with more than half the points of his teammate as he struggled to reach Q3 on multiple occasions. Despite this, Perez was given a new two-year contract by Red Bull in the hopes it would improve his form.

But it seems to have had the exact opposite effect, as the 34-year-old is currently enduring his worst season with the team. Perez is sat eighth in the drivers’ standings, having not finished on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix.

In fact, the Mexican has not finished in the top five since Miami and in the last six races, he has only finished higher than 10th once as he finds himself struggling to beat Red Bull’s junior team RB. Eddie Jordan says he would have sacked Perez if he was driving for his team.

Now, with two races to go and with Verstappen locking out his fourth world title, the attention is on the other side of the garage and whether it will be Perez in that second Red Bull come 2025.

Ted Kravitz heard something from Sergio Perez that hints that he wants to Red Bull

Despite a contract that runs until at least 2026, Perez could be replaced by Red Bull as clauses in the deal could allow the team to part company with the Mexican after the final race in Abu Dhabi.

And it does not look like the Milton Keynes-based outfit will take the pressure off the 34-year-old in the last two races. Christian Horner has set Perez a target of finishing higher up the field as they bid to win the Constructors’ Championship.

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The topic of Perez’s future is on everyone’s mind in Qatar, and while the Mexican still thinks he will race with Red Bull next season, Ted Kravitz heard something that the 34-year-old said that suggests he wants to leave the team at the end of the year.

Talking in Qatar on Ted’s Podbook, Kravitz said: “Listen, I hope it’s true [that Perez stays] but asking around, I can’t find anybody who doesn’t think that Red Bull are going to look very seriously at replacing him.

“And Checo’s already talking about how he’s got, you know, he doesn’t have quite so much time to spend with his young family apparently on another interview he did.

“So, I don’t know if he wants to be there still next year, but he’s got a contract so he obviously does. I don’t know, it’s a bit of a mess.”

Who could replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025?

While he seemingly has security at Red Bull with a two-year contract, it is clear that Perez’s position with the team is under threat and the Milton Keynes-based outfit have several options available that could replace the Mexican.

Liam Lawson has been heavily linked with a promotion after his impressive performances with RB since replacing Daniel Ricciardo. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda is also an option, having been established with the junior team for four years.

Red Bull are interested in signing Franco Colapinto from Williams after his solid displays with the team in 2024. But the Argentine’s future solely depends on whether Perez is sacked, as Lawson is almost certain to land the second seat at RB alongside Tsunoda.

With Lawson the favourite to be promoted to Red Bull, Lawrence Barretto says RB will probably sign Isack Hadjar over Colapinto, with the Frenchman battling future Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto for the Formula 2 title in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.