Marko: 'Perez has specific demand for new Red Bull contract'

Whereas the silly season in Formula 1 normally starts mid-season, it was already in full swing by early 2024. Sergio Perez thinks - and perhaps hopes - that he and Red Bull Racing will soon come to an agreement on a possible contract extension. If he maintains his current form, Helmut Marko sees little reason not to give it to him. Yet there seems to be one requirement in the way.

Perez and Red Bull not yet in agreement

Both Marko and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner have already said that Perez is currently doing everything he needs to do to get a contract extension. However, one key requirement the parties have yet to agree on is the length of the contract. Perez is angling for a two-year extension, Red Bull seems less keen on that.

"I think it's very logical for my next contract to last at least two years, because the rules change drastically in 2026. I think it makes no sense for a team nowadays to contract a driver for one year and then leave the door open, right? Especially next year, there will be a lot of development during the year, so it is important to be part of a long-term project," Perez told ESPN's Mexican branch.

Marko: 'Perez has specific requirement for Red Bull contract'

Marko previously indicated that Perez was having his best season at Red Bull so far, but also stated that the Mexican may be drawing motivation from the uncertainty over his future in F1. However, the 80-year-old Austrian does currently see Perez as the best candidate for the seat next to Max Verstappen in 2025, provided he maintains his current form.

"As long as Checo is in such good form as he is now and he comes up with reasonable conditions for an extension, there is really nothing against him," Marko reveals. Asked what conditions Perez sets for a new contract, he points to one specific demand in particular: "His demands are mainly about the length of the contract."

Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Marko stated that his team were also holding talks with Carlos Sainz, who is due to make way for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2025. However, he stated that Red Bull could not compete with Audi's offer. Moreover, he indicated that Sainz was very hurt when Red Bull chose Verstappen over him. For his part, Horner stated that such statements are "inappropriate and pure speculation".