According to reports circulating in the paddock, F1 journalist and former team manager Peter Windsor believes Sergio Perez’s contract with Red Bull has already been extended beyond the end of 2024. If these rumors are true, Carlos Sainz’s prospects of moving there will be over when he leaves Ferrari at the conclusion of the season.
The Spanish driver took advantage of Max Verstappen’s final brake failure at the Australian Grand Prix, dominating the rest of the race, including teammate Charles Leclerc, on his way to his third Formula One triumph. However, he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season, leaving him without a drive.
Sainz’s performances since joining the Scuderia have more than justified another drive for a top team, but with his Ferrari career nearing to an end and former team McLaren tying both drivers down for the long term, his only front-running choices are Red Bull and Mercedes. Moving to the former now appears to be difficult.
Regarding the murmurs he heard in Melbourne, Windsor stated: “I heard around the paddock area from many reputable sources that Sergio has already renewed his contract for next year. In which scenario, you’d ask, “What was the rush?”
He went on to say, “And if that’s the case, that door is obviously closed for Carlos Sainz.” That leaves only one viable alternative for him: a plug-in year at Mercedes alongside George Russell.
“This would not be a comfortable year for Carlos. Just having to jump into the automobile, with George Russell in the other car, was stressful and tough. Doing so with an agreement to join Audi in 2026.”
If confirmed, this would be a tremendous show of confidence for Perez, who was constantly questioned last year about whether he would continue to drive for Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2023 season, let alone the end of his contract in 2024.
The Mexican earned back-to-back P2 places in the first two races of the season, putting Red Bull on the front foot as they try to duplicate last year’s feat of securing the top two Drivers’ Championship spots.
For Sainz, it creates an intriguing conundrum. While joining Mercedes would be the most prestigious move he could make, the team has been on a gradual decline over the ground-effect era. A move to Sauber or Aston Martin would be riskier, but it could pay off when the regulatory changes take effect in 2026.
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