Sergio Perez has revealed that recent thoughts of retiring did take place for "three seconds" but that he is committed to the next two seasons of Formula 1.
It was recently rumoured that the Red Bull driver was considering walking away from the sport, something he has denied despite it briefly crossing his mind.
The Mexican is enduring a difficult campaign, not helped by the Milton Keynes-based team's struggles with its RB20.
Perez is eighth in the F1 drivers' championship and 187 points adrift of team-mate and championship leader Max Verstappen.
There was a brief return to form during the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix in which Perez outperformed Verstappen throughout the weekend.
The 34-year-old was set for his first podium since the Chinese Grand Prix until a penultimate lap crash with Carlos Sainz ended his chances.
Perez's brief good form ended in Singapore where he was eliminated in Q2 and recovered to only 10th position in the race.
Despite his current performance issues, Perez has no intention of retiring yet, although he has insisted that when the decision happens, it will be his call only.
"For the past six months I have been thinking about it - but it took me three seconds to make the decision," Perez told DAZN España.
"In the end, it would be the easy way to give up. I would never have forgiven myself.
"I want to end my career when I want to and not when someone tells me. That's the most important thing, getting to the point where I can decide my future."
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Perez signed a one-plus-one deal with Red Bull earlier this year, keeping him with the team next season with an option to continue in 2026 if his performances are to a required standard.
Although he is adamant he has two more seasons with Red Bull, he has no intention of continuing into his 40s like Fernando Alonso as he has other priorities.
"For now, I'm very motivated, I want very much to continue in F1," added Perez. "I enjoy it. You mostly enjoy the good moments, but you also learn to enjoy the bad moments.
"For now, I have a two-year contract. Two years is a long time, but I know the end is coming closer and closer. I don't see myself racing here like Fernando. I admire him for everything he does at his age.
"It's not that I wouldn't enjoy it, but more because I have young children and I want to spend much more time with them.
"With 24 races a year, the calendar is long, but I will be there for at least two more years. However, I don't see myself in Formula 1 for much longer."
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