Perez firm over Red Bull F1 future after 'ultimatum' rumour

Sergio Perez has asserted that his current Red Bull contract won't be his final deal in Formula 1.

Perez has endured a difficult campaign with the Milton Keynes-based squad and had another difficult weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix last time out, crashing out of the Sprint and only taking 10th place in the race.

After the Lusail race, rumours surfaced online that Perez was either set to announce his retirement from F1 at his home Mexico race later this month, and that he had been issued an ultimatum by Red Bull to either finish second in the Drivers' or risk losing his seat for 2024.

This is despite repeated claims from Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner and Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko that Perez has a watertight contract with the team for 2024.

'Many good years ahead'

Speaking to media including RacingNews365 ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Perez labelled the speculation around his future as false.

"I'm just laughing at it," he explained. "There’s nothing I can do [to stop the spread of the rumours].

"I’m fully focused on my job, but it really sums up my season - a guy says something about me and then all of a sudden it becomes true.

Perez's current deal with Red Bull runs until the end of next season, but the Mexican is confident that it will not be his final contract in F1.

"I have a contract for next year. I have no reason not to fulfil that contract," he said.

"I'm going to give my very best to it. I've made a commitment. But more than that, it will not be my final contract in F1.

"I'm with Red Bull and I want to stay with Red Bull, and obviously, it has to work out for both sides.

"I'm just enjoying it at the moment. I love the challenge of getting back out of it [his struggles] and at 33, I think I have some good years ahead of me.

"As an athlete, you want to maximize your career. That to me, is important, and that's my focus.

When asked if he was sure he would still be with Red Bull next year, Perez replied: “100%”