Mexican driver confirms he’s “ready to cease for a 12 months” if he misses out on the Crimson Bull seat subsequent to Max Verstappen for 2021; Perez completed career-best second at Turkish GP however stays with no drive for subsequent season
By Matt Morlidge
Final Up to date: 19/11/20 10:12am
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Sergio Perez was happy to complete second in Turkey and is now seeking to end the season on a excessive
Sergio Perez has insisted that his Components 1 future is “not in my fingers” and is ready to take a sabbatical in 2021 if Crimson Bull do not come calling, a state of affairs described as a “travesty” after he continued his effective kind with a podium on the Turkish GP.
Perez – fourth within the championship regardless of lacking two races resulting from coronavirus – has been one of many drivers of the season and secured a much-deserved first 2020 podium final weekend however, after Racing Level determined to exchange him with Sebastian Vettel for subsequent 12 months, he nonetheless hasn’t discovered a seat to stay on the grid.
The Mexican’s solely reasonable choice left is Crimson Bull, who’re Mercedes’ closest F1 challengers and would signify an improve, however who’re additionally desperate to retain Alex Albon – supplied he impresses earlier than the top of the season.
Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok, chatting with Perez after he completed second on the Turkish GP, stated it could be a “travesty” if he needed to go away F1, to which he replied: “I feel in Components 1 it isn’t 100 per cent associated to efficiency.
“We have seen with different drivers, there are such a lot of issues across the seat, round a driver, that on the finish of the day this isn’t in my fingers. I am not likely involved, I actually need to end the season on a excessive and see what occurs.”
The quickly to be unemployed Perez confirmed his class and expertise virtually in addition to Hamilton. Certainly he is firmly on Crimson Bull’s radar in the event that they determine to vary Alex Albon.
Martin Brundle on Sergio Perez’s Turkish GP
Requested about Crimson Bull particularly by Sky F1’s Rachel Brookes, Perez admitted “that one particularly will not be in my fingers” and stated he may take a 12 months out of F1.
“In the meanwhile I am simply specializing in ending on a excessive, and if the chance comes… nice,” he added. “If not, I am ready to cease for a 12 months as effectively.”
Perez: I am at my peak
Perez is on a career-best run of 18 consecutive factors finishes, relationship again to September 2019
Perez equalled his best-ever end in F1 by ending second – for the primary time since 2012 – at Istanbul Park, lastly rewarded after quite a few robust drives this 12 months.
Perez, who has completed within the top-10 in each 2020 race however was with no top-three end earlier than Sunday, acknowledged: “It is a particular one.
“I have never had a clean season, a number of issues have occurred – up and down. I had Covid, missed two races, and it has been onerous, ?
“Lacking out on my seat, searching for a drive, it hasn’t been a simple 12 months however it’s undoubtedly an excellent outcome.”
Sebastian Vettel is changing Perez at Racing Level subsequent 12 months
Perez is now fourth, three factors away from Charles Leclerc, within the championship, and added that he felt he’s presently peaking as a driver.
“I feel I’ve had excellent seasons previously however weren’t seen as a very good 12 months due to the automotive potential,” he stated. “I used to be ending seventh within the championship, a few occasions eighth, however I used to be nonetheless doing a very good job, an amazing job.
“I feel proper now I am in an excellent degree in my profession, I feel in all probability at my peak when it comes to expertise, understanding, communication-wise with the workforce as effectively.
“I am certain this podium will assist us to complete the previous few races on a excessive.”
The season concludes with a triple header within the Center East, beginning with the Bahrain GP on November 29 – reside solely on Sky Sports activities F1.
