Chargement ...

Perez tipped to announce sabbatical on Monday

"I only want to keep going with a reason"

Chargement ...

Big rumours are swirling in the Bahrain paddock about Sergio Perez’s future.

The Mexican, who is being replaced by Racing Point by Sebastian Vettel for the Aston Martin re-branding, hinted on Thursday that Red Bull is his "only one option" to keep racing in 2021.

"I only want to keep going with a reason, with a plan, with a good project," Perez said.

However, it is believed that if the struggling Alex Albon is ousted by Red Bull, it is Nico Hulkenberg rather than Perez who is the frontrunner for the seat.

So it is fascinating that the media has been called by Perez’s management to attend a press conference in Bahrain on the day after Sunday’s grand prix.

The topic of the press conference is not known, but it is believed the 30-year-old could announce that he will take a sabbatical next year.

As for Albon, he is having another mixed weekend in Bahrain, including a heavy crash on Saturday but then a strong fourth place in qualifying just behind his teammate Max Verstappen.

"Nothing has changed," Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko told Auto Bild.

"After the last race of the season we will sit down in peace and analyse everything. Then we will decide who will drive for Red Bull," he added.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher explained: "At Red Bull, only one person decides and his name is Dietrich Mateschitz. And it is very difficult to predict what he is thinking."

Chargement ...

«Qualifying - Bahrain GP 2020 - Team quotes

Red Bull engine program ’looks good’ for 2022»

Red Bull


>’New era’ dawns at Red Bull as Newey eyes Ferrari

>Uncle admits Mick Schumacher’s F1 dream may be ending

>Newey exit ’not good’ for Red Bull’s future - Jos

>Official: Red Bull confirm design chief Newey’s exit

>Newey looks set to really leave Red Bull for Ferrari

More on Red Bull

Aston Martin F1 Team


>Stroll did not apologise for Ricciardo rear-end

>Pressure piling up on ’worst’ F1 driver Stroll

>Honda would ’welcome’ Yuki Tsunoda to Aston Martin

>Non-racing F1 role likely for Alonso after 2026

>Question mark hangs over Stroll’s F1 future

More on Aston Martin F1 Team

Formula 1 news


>FIA asked to permit Antonelli, 17, to debut in 2024

>Williams finally gets third chassis, updates in Miami

>Even F2, F3 unlikely for F1 hopeful Andretti

>Gasly upbeat as fleeing McLaren man re-emerges at Alpine

>Magnussen admits 2025 Haas contract ’most likely’

More Formula 1news