It’s been another busy day in the world of F1 news, with more news announced in the driver market and the ongoing news regarding Esteban Ocon’s departure from Alpine.
There will be plenty to talk about when the drivers arrive in Canada, including the fact that the fastest uncontracted car for 2025 has already been purchased.
F1 News: Sergio Perez remains at Red Bull as Esteban Ocon details emerge
Sergio Perez retains Red Bull drive
Firstly, Red Bull announced that Sergio Pérez has signed a two-year contract extension with the team, keeping him with the reigning world champions until 2026.
This year’s driver market saw several drivers believe this cockpit could be the most popular on the grid, but the Mexican has proven himself good enough to remain with the team for another two years.
Coincidentally, his last contract renewal was after the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022, so maybe we’ll see him in the same headlines after the Monaco Grand Prix in 2026.
read more: Red Bull driver rumours end with new two-year deal for Sergio Pérez
Christian Horner explains reasoning behind new Perez deal
The Red Bull team boss praised Perez’s performance at Red Bull, explaining that the team needs “continuity and stability” to keep moving forward.
“Checo has started 2024 well, with second-place finishes in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan, as well as a podium finish in China,” he said.
“The last few races have been tough and there has been some chaos on the grid, but we have confidence in Checo and are looking forward to seeing him return to the proven form and performance we have always seen him perform.”
“Last year was a unicorn season and we’ll need to work hard to defend our title, but we have confidence in our line-up and the whole team, which is vital with this year’s championship looking like it’s going to be a close one.”
read more: Christian Horner explains decision to sign Sergio Pérez as Carlos Sainz deal looms
Esteban Ocon and Monaco team orders details revealed
The team currently does not have a driver for next season after Esteban Ocon announced he is parting ways with Alpine at the end of 2024, but F1 journalist Lawrence Barrett explained that team orders to follow each other in Monaco were ignored and drilled into both drivers before the race.
Regarding the team orders, he wrote on the official F1 website: “I was told the message was repeated before the race on Sunday, so I can understand Famine’s frustration when Ocon ignored them and made a bold move on Gasly at Portier on the first lap, damaging both cars and forcing himself to retire.”
“But while it was a significant moment, sources say wider discussions about Ocon’s future have been ongoing for several months and the incident was only part of the discussions about not renewing his contract.”
read more: “Latest discussions about not renewing” – Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly “repeatedly informed” of Monaco team orders
Kevin Magnussen banned from racing?
We know that Kevin Magnussen is two points away from being banned from racing and won’t lose any Super Licence points for some time, but Ralf Schumacher has not been too kind in his assessment of the Haas driver so far this season.
The former Williams and Toyota driver highlighted and proved just how good a person Magnussen is outside the cockpit, but inside it so far this season, he has not shown that.
read more: Kevin Magnussen’s challenge to F1 race ban ‘disappears’
Pierre Gasly asked about F1 future beyond 2024
With it confirmed that an Alpine seat will become vacant at the end of the year, Pierre Gasly was asked by media, including PlanetF1.com, in Monaco about what the situation is.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail because it’s too easy to take it out of context, but we all know the situation in the driver market,” Gasly said, before adding: “Obviously I want to fight for a better position, so we’ll see in the coming weeks and months how we use the findings from the wind tunnel and what decisions we take on the concept of these cars.”
read more: Pierre Gasly asked about F1 future with Alpine after teammate’s seat becomes vacant
