Sergio “Checo” Perez has signed a one-year contract extension with Red Bull, partnering Max Verstappen for the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Perez, who joined Red Bull at the start of this season from BWT Racing Point, won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June, the first Red Bull driver other than Verstappen to win a race since Daniel Ricciardo at Monaco in 2018.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said that “Checo is a highly respected team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the Constructors’ Championship.”
“His integration into the wider team has been seamless and we have been impressed by his performances during the first half of the season which demonstrate what he’s capable of in our car.”
Perez himself added that “It always takes time to get on top of everything when you join a new team but things have worked well this season and I really enjoy being part of the Red Bull family.”
“We’ve been working hard to deliver results so it’s great to see the team have faith in me for the future. We have so much more to achieve together and we still have a great challenge on our hands this season so I really hope we can finish the year on a high and carry that momentum into 2022.”
The Mexican, 31, also finished third at the French Grand Prix, and is currently fifth in the drivers championship standings with 104 points.
He has built a good relationship with Max Verstappen, the Dutchman saying that Perez “is a great teammate” when speaking ahead of the Styrian Grand Prix in June.
More importantly, he has provided the second Red Bull seat with much needed stability after the struggles of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, allowing the team to compete for their first Constructors Championship since 2013.
With over 200 Grands Prix under his belt, he will also bring a wealth of experience ahead of the sweeping regulation changes next year.
Featured image by Jen Ross – Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing F1 Team, British GP, Silverstone 2021, CC BY 2.0; no changes made.
