Red Bull decide on Sergio Perez future as Christian Horner releases statement

Red Bull have reaffirmed their commitment to Sergio Perez, reportedly confirming that he will keep his seat for the remainder of the 2024 season. Perez's future has been the subject of intense speculation amid a disappointing campaign so far, but Red Bull have put the uncertainty to bed by publicly paying him their faith.

The Mexican driver is under severe pressure after scoring just 28 points in the last eight races in comparison to teammate Max Verstappen's 141 during the same period.

While Verstappen leads the way in his search for a fourth consecutive drivers' championship, Perez has slipped down to seventh in the standings.

He has yet to win a race in 2024, and his fall from P2 to P7 - P8 before George Russell's disqualification - in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix clouded his future in further uncertainty.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was expected to hold meetings to discuss Perez on Monday, the start of F1's summer break.

According to De Telegraaf, Horner has now informed hundreds of workers at Red Bull's Milton Keynes factory that Perez would be holding onto his seat for the rest of the season.

"Checo [Perez] remains a Red Bull Racing driver despite all the speculation of late," Horner reportedly said.

"We look forward to seeing him perform at circuits where he has done well in the past, after the summer break."

Red Bull's decision to hand Perez a new two-year contract around two months ago raised eyebrows, given his struggles this season.

Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson were among the favourites to replace Checo as Verstappen's partner during the summer break.

But he will report to Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix in just under a month, where he will have the chance to repay Red Bull for their faith.

"I've said it before, I don't think I want to be responding anymore to any future speculation. I'm here with the team, fully committed," Perez said at Spa.

"I think, as a team, we have a lot of stuff to focus on to get ourselves ready for the second half of the season.

"I think I've had enough of this speculation. I've said everything I have to, so it's time to take a break, regroup with the team and go again."

Red Bull's status as constructors' champions is under threat, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri edging McLaren closer at the top of the standings by the race.

McLaren (366) are now just 42 points behind Red Bull's 408 points, with Ferrari closely trailing on 345.