Sergio Perez has signed a contract extension to remain at Red Bull until the end of the 2026 season.

The 34-year-old Mexican has proven a decent No 2 to Max Verstappen and was always firm favourite to hold on to the seat.

Perez’s continuing role represents a thread of stability after a turbulent few months off-track at the world championship-winning team.

Perez, a five-time race winner, who helped clinch Red Bull’s first one-two in the drivers’ standings last year, said he had ‘full trust’ in the organisation and wanted to repay their faith in him. ‘My future is bright here,’ he added.

Red Bull opted to not to move for Carlos Sainz, who is available following Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari at the start of next season.

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Sergio Perez has signed a contract extension to remain at Red Bull until the end of the 2026 season

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Red Bull principal Christian Horner (left) hailed the robust partnership of the Mexican and three-time world champion Verstappen (right)

The news of Perez’s extension comes amid a recent slump which culminated in him crashing out on the first lap of the Monaco after qualifying 16th. The previous two races saw him finish fourth and eighth respectively.

Team principal Christian Horner hailed the ‘robust partnership’ of Perez and Verstappen, while acknowledging that the past few races have been ‘tough’.

‘Continuity and stability are important for the team and both Checo and Max [Verstappen] are a successful and robust partnership.’ He said.

‘The past few races have been tough, there is convergence on the grid, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see.’

Perez has not won a race since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April 2023, the Austrian manufacturer winning all but one race last season.