Pérez Secures Two-Year Extension with Red Bull, Sainz’s Future in Limbo

Sergio Pérez has put an end to speculation about his future, signing a two-year extension with Red Bull Racing, the Formula One world champions confirmed on Tuesday. The news comes as a significant blow to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who was reportedly a contender for the seat.

Pérez’s new deal is a testament to his strong relationship with teammate Max Verstappen, with sources revealing that the Mexican driver has always been the favored option for the Dutch world champion. Verstappen’s own future has been a topic of discussion, with links to Mercedes still lingering, but Red Bull hopes that Pérez’s extension will quieten the noise surrounding the defending world champion’s contract.

The Decision to Retain Pérez

The decision to retain Pérez also stems from Red Bull’s desire to maintain stability amidst the turmoil behind the scenes, including the ongoing sexual misconduct investigation into team principal Christian Horner and the imminent departure of design chief Adrian Newey.

Sainz’s Future Uncertain

As Pérez’s future is now secured, attention turns to Sainz, who has been holding off on committing to a deal with Williams or Audi, who have taken control of Sauber ahead of a full rebrand in 2026. Sources suggest that Williams has emerged as the front-runner for Sainz, although both options are still believed to be in play.

Other Driver Market Moves

Meanwhile, Esteban Ocon’s departure from Alpine at the end of 2024 has opened up a new seat in the driver market. Ocon is now a prominent name, with Haas reportedly favoring him as a replacement for Kevin Magnussen. Yuki Tsunoda’s future is also uncertain, with Alpine and Audi likely to be interested in the Red Bull driver’s services.

“With the Formula 1 Canadian GP just around the corner, the driver market is set to be a hot topic of discussion. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the season unfolds.”

Watch LIVE: F1 Canadian GP, Sunday, June 9, 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+

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