Sergio Perez has revealed he will consider his future as a racing driver should he not stay on the Formula 1 grid next season.
Back in September, it was confirmed the Mexican driver would leave Racing Point and be replaced by Sebastian Vettel as the team embarks on a new era as Aston Martin.
But despite being linked to Haas and Williams since, Perez confirmed ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix that Red Bull is the only team he’ll consider racing for next season.
“There’s only one option,” he declared. “I’ve been here so many years and I think I’m at the peak of my career.
“But I also want to keep going with a reason, with a plan and with a good project. I think if there’s not a good project that keeps my motivation, to give my 100%, I rather not take it.”
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Perez is one of two drivers linked to the seat currently held by Alex Albon, the other being former teammate Nico Hulkenberg, and asked why Red Bull should choose him, the 30-year-old didn’t want to make a pitch.
“I think that’s the wrong question to ask myself. I can speak myself very up and certainly put myself in pole position but I don’t think it’s me who has judge myself,” he claimed.
Should Checo not land the seat, he said 2021 will be a year off from competition and said he would use the time to reflect on which direction his career takes.
“I have a lot of interest in other stuff, away from racing,” Perez explained.
“Obviously I’m still young. I could see myself later on doing other businesses away from motorsport, not in my 30s you know, but if that comes early I’m happy to consider that option as well.
“I have my family, I want to see my kids growing [up] and other things you know, I can imagine a life without motorsport.
“If I don’t have Formula 1 next year I don’t see myself doing anything else,” he added. “I will take a year to consider what I want to do, if I really miss it.
“Most of the drivers, they retire, then six months they come back and want to do whatever is available. I have to see. I’ve never experienced that.
“My whole life I’ve been into it so I have to see also living out of the sport, how it is, how it suits me, then see if I miss it or if I want to carry on with that life.”
In the meantime, Perez is looking ahead to the final three races of his seven-year stint at Force India/Racing Point and hopes to continue the momentum from finishing second two weeks ago in Turkey.
“There is definitely a great atmosphere in the team right now,” he said. “We want to be fighting for podiums and the chance to sign off this era on a real high for the team and myself.
“I also want to fight for P4 in the drivers’ championship and we managed to take that position after a great result in Turkey. That gives me confidence going into Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.”