Formula 1 News: Father wants media to 'apologize' to Sergio Perez

(GMM) Sergio Perez and his father have renewed their criticism of the rampant rumors that have marred the Mexican’s 2024 season.

Despite signing a new contract for 2025 earlier this season, the 34-year-old has struggled alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, ramping up speculation he will be replaced.

One of the latest rumors was that he would announce his retirement at the recent Mexican GP.

“The media that said that in Mexico he would be saying goodbye,” Perez’s father, politician Antonio Perez Garibay, told the Spanish-language ESPN Racing podcast.

“They should now at least apologize,” he added.

Although team advisor Dr Helmut Marko is still saying Red Bull will review Perez’s position after the Abu Dhabi season finale, the Mexican driver says he has dealt with the rumors “with humor”.

“I already laugh at everything they (the media) come up with – everything they talk about,” Sergio Perez said.

“I’m not talking about everyone because there are professional journalists too. But it’s hard for a sportsman to understand – everyone can have a bad race, or make a bad decision, but in the European media there is unprofessional.”

Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 17, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

One of the latest rumors is that Red Bull boss Christian Horner has signed some new Perez-linked team sponsorships for 2025, even approving the manufacture of 2025 team clothing and merchandise featuring the new brands.

That might explain Perez and his father’s apparent confidence that he will definitely still be Verstappen’s teammate beyond this year.

“Checo will be there for the next two years,” Antonio Perez Garibay continued. “He has said that, given the opportunity, he plans to retire with Red Bull.

“It is the most professional team at the moment – the world champion team,” he added. “They are doing what is necessary to improve, not only with Checo’s car, but with Max Verstappen’s car too.

“They are still fighting for the championship. I think Max will be world champion again and Red Bull is preparing to be among the top three constructors’. The restructuring will then come at the end of the year.”