Sergio Perez awaits Red Bull’s decision on driving 2021 Formula 1

The Mexican driver confirms that he is “ready to stop for a year” if by 2021 he will lose the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen; Perez ended his career in second place at the Turkish GP, but remains without a guide for next season

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Sergio Perez was pleased to have finished second in Turkey and is now looking to finish the season on top

Sergio Perez has insisted that his future in Formula 1 “is not in my hands” and is ready to take a sabbatical in 2021 if Red Bull is not called, a scenario described as a “farce” after continuing the his good form with a podium at the Turkish GP.

Perez – fourth in the championship despite missing two races due to coronavirus – was one of the drivers of the season and secured a well deserved first podium 2020 last weekend but, after Racing Point decided to replace him with Sebastian Vettel for the next year, he still hasn’t found a place to stay on the grid.

The only realistic option left to the Mexican is Red Bull, who are Mercedes’ closest challengers in F1 and would represent an upgrade, but who are also eager to keep Alex Albon, provided he impresses before the season ends.

Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok, speaking to Perez after finishing second at the Turkish GP, said it would be a “farce” if he had to leave F1, to which he replied: “I think Formula 1 is not related to 100. % performance.

“We have seen with other riders, there are so many things around the seat, around a driver, that at the end of the day this is not in my hands. I’m not very worried, I really want to finish the season high and see what happens. “

Early unemployed Perez showed almost as much class and experience as Hamilton. He’s certainly firmly on Red Bull’s radar if they decide to change Alex Albon.

Martin Brundle on Sergio Perez’s Turkish GP

When asked about Red Bull in particular by Sky F1’s Rachel Brookes, Perez admitted that “that particular one is not in my hands” and said he could take a year without F1.

“At the moment I’m just focusing on finishing high, and if the opportunity comes … great,” he added. “If not, I’m ready to quit for even a year.”

Perez: I’m at the top

Perez is on his career best run of 18 consecutive points finishes, starting September 2019

Perez equaled his best ever F1 result by finishing second – for the first time since 2012 – at Istanbul Park, finally honored after a string of strong drives this year.

Perez, who finished in the top 10 in every race in 2020 but hadn’t finished in the top three before Sunday, said: “He’s special.

“I haven’t had a quiet season, a lot has happened – up and down. I’ve had Covid, I’ve lost two races and it’s been tough, you know?

“I lost my place, trying to drive, it wasn’t an easy year but it’s definitely an excellent result”.

Sebastian Vettel will replace Perez at Racing Point next year

Perez is now fourth, three points clear of Charles Leclerc, in the championship, and added that he currently feels at his best as a driver.

“I think I’ve had very good seasons in the past, but they haven’t been seen as a good year because of the potential of the car,” he said. “I finished seventh in the championship, eighth a couple of times, but I was still doing a good job, an extraordinary job.

“I think at the moment I am at an excellent level in my career, I think probably at my peak in terms of experience, understanding, communication also with the team.

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“I’m sure this podium will help us finish the last few races on top.”

The season ends with a triple header in the Middle East, starting with the Bahrain GP on 29 November – live only on Sky Sports F1.