Red Bull should stick with Sergio Perez next season - says Otmar Szafnauer

According to Otmar Szafnauer, Sergio Perez remains the best choice as Max Verstappen's teammate for the upcoming season. Perez's contract with Red Bull expires at the end of this season, leaving his future uncertain.

Szafnauer, who previously worked with Perez at Force India, Aston Martin, and Alpine, expressed his preference for Perez and even mentioned it at a recent F1 event in Abu Dhabi.

He believes that Perez's performance this year has been commendable, with a few exceptions where he could have finished higher. Despite this, Szafnauer believes that Perez should be retained for next year.

Perez currently holds the second position in the standings after five races, with several podium finishes. He will be returning to Miami this weekend, where he secured pole position and finished as the runner-up to Verstappen last year.

Prior to joining Red Bull in 2021, Perez spent seven seasons with the Force India/Racing Point team, now known as Aston Martin. While Verstappen's future is also subject to speculation, with Mercedes showing interest, Szafnauer stated that Verstappen is simply better.

He praised Perez's racecraft, highlighting his overtaking skills and ability to manage his tires effectively. Although Perez may not excel in qualifying, his strengths lie in his race performances. Overall, Szafnauer believes that Perez would be a valuable asset to the team.

Nico Hulkenberg, aged 36, has a promising future ahead of him as he has recently been confirmed as a Sauber driver for the 2025 season and will then move on to Audi in 2026. This indicates that Hulkenberg will continue to compete in Formula 1 for several more seasons.

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, will be 40 years old when he transitions from Mercedes to Ferrari for the upcoming season. Similarly, Fernando Alonso, a double champion with Aston Martin, will be 42 years old.