Red Bull confirm Perez to stay with team for 2022

Red Bull will field an unchanged line-up for 2022, after announcing on Thursday that they have decided to retain Sergio Perez.

Perez has made a strong start to his first season with a top team, first scoring a front row slot in his second Grand Prix, then taking four top-five finishes in his first five races, and clinching his first win for the team in his sixth in Baku.

ANALYSIS: Why Red Bull kept Perez for 2022 – and what it means for Gasly and Albon

His points haul of 104, just four short of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, has been key in helping Red Bull take the fight to Mercedes in the constructors’ championship, with the team just 12 points adrift of the reigning world champions ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

2022 will be Perez’s 11th season in F1, with the Mexican keeping his place alongside Max Verstappen, who is contracted to the team until at least the end of 2023.

“Checo is a highly respected Team member and his experience and race-craft are invaluable as we fight for the Constructors’ Championship,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. “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.

“Next year we move into a new era of Formula 1 with completely revised regulations and cars, and with over 200 races and a decade of experience under his belt, Checo will play an integral role in helping the Team navigate this transition and maximise the RB18.

"Our current attention is on ending the 2021 season as strongly as possible and we look forward to seeing Checo build on a first successful season with the team.”

Perez added: “I’m really happy to be continuing with a great team like Red Bull into the new era of Formula 1 and it’s a great opportunity for me. Everyone starts from zero next year with the new regulations, so my only goal is to go all the way to the top with Red Bull.

HEAD TO HEAD: How do 2021's F1 team mate pairings compare at the half-way point of the season?

"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 a 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. I want to thank all my supporters around the world and especially those in Mexico. From my sponsors to my fans, they have been so enthusiastic since I joined Red Bull so I really hope we can reward them by reaching the top and winning the title.”