Can Perez stay at Red Bull? Not according to this former F1 world champion

There was no movement in the driver market for the 2024 Formula 1 season, it is expected to ramp up for 2025.

For a large number of drivers, their contract expires at the end of this year, with a leading role in the musical chairs being reserved for Sergio Perez.

The Mexican teammate to Max Verstappen is in possession of an existing contract with Red Bull. If he leaves the team, this can trigger a whole chain reaction.

But will Perez leave or is he able to enforce contract extension? Two-time F1 World Champion, Mika Hakkinen, weighs in on his chances.

"In this case, Perez is slower than Max. That's very clear," Hakkinen said in conversation with Unibet.

"If the slower teammate accepts the situation, is able to clearly communicate with the team and the media, is able to develop the car, is motivated and can stay within three, four tenths of the faster teammate, then I don't think it's a bad thing. It's an okay situation."

Hakkinen: The team needs to make changes if results fluctuate

"But if the teammate starts complaining, the team accuses him of not giving him a good car, is not motivated and the results fluctuate a lot, that's not good for the team. Then the team has to start making changes."

Could those changes come to Red Bull in the near future? "I know it's important for Red Bull to have a Mexican driver. Mexico is a large sales market and that has its effect on certain things.

"But in the end you are here to race and achieve good results and to develop the car faster. You can't build on one driver alone. You have to have two drivers at a certain level to develop the car. Is Perez's future with Red Bull? I think this is highly unlikely."