28 September 2023 , 19:26
1173
0
Sergio Perez declared "I'll never get tired of Formula 1 " after it was suggested that the Mexican racer may be "ready for retirement".
Perez's future with Red Bull is under the microscope after a difficult season. It began strongly with two wins from the first four races and more than a suggestion that he might be able to push Max Verstappen hard for the title this year.
But his championship challenge collapsed with a wretched run of form as the European season began. Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Limburger, he admitted that it had taken a significant mental toll.
"After Miami, things went downhill," he said. "I had a different car that didn’t suit me so well. Then I failed to get into Q3 several times, so my confidence dropped. As a result, the driving went a lot worse as well.
"I struggled a lot in the summer. In the beginning, I was competing for the world title but, from May onwards, that changed. I was driving without confidence. At one point I just didn't come out [of Q2]. That was very tough. Because you drive with a top team, the pressure to perform increases quickly.
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
"But I didn't give up and kept working hard with the engineers to sort things out. My self-confidence came back when I realised that I won races under my own steam earlier this year. I dare say I am 100 percent again now. And I also have the conviction again that I can have a shot at the world title next year."
Perez is out of contract at the end of 2024 and will have turned 35 years old by the time the following season begins. Amid his struggles this season, former F1 driver Jan Lammers questioned his desire to continue.
"I think Perez is really ready for retirement. I mean, how much fun is this for him?" said the Dutchman. "What we're seeing is a total lack of drive, motivation, sharpness – everything, really. I think Red Bull could be preparing to put [Liam] Lawson in that seat."
But, after seeking professional help, Perez says that he has rediscovered how to be positive in both aspects of his life. He added: "When you are having such a hard time with your work, it is difficult to be cheerful at home with your wife and children. So I hired a mental coach because my family deserves to have that cheerful father at home.
"Together with my coach, I worked on becoming the best version of myself at home, but also as a driver. As a result, I found positivity again. I am now 33 years old, but I am still learning every day. On the track, but certainly also off it. Partly because of this, I will never get tired of Formula 1. It's really amazing what this sport still gives me."