’s Ted Kravitz shared the w💞hisper after the United States Grand Prix, ju🅠st days before F1 heads to Perez’s home race in Mexico.

In Texas, the unꦅder-threat Red Bull driver finished fifth, with teamma🎶te Max Verstappen again winning.

Initially it seem✱ed like his grip on P2 in the standings weaken𓂃ed, with Lewis Hamilton’s podium finish, until the Mercedes driver was disqualified, a major sigh of relief for Perez.

“There is a rumour💞 around the place,” Kravitz claiཧmed. 

“If Checo does not manage to seal P2 in the drivers’ championship - which is something Red Bull 🌜have never done, and something Christian Horner and Helmut Marko value very highly this year - then they’ll have to have a serious think about whether Checo does stay within his 🍸contract next year.

“Or whether they have💯 a proper conversation with Checo about whether he is able to improve next year.

“I’m not saying this is an ultimatum, I൩’m not saying Perez has a few races until the end of the season to wrap up P2 and secure his drive for next ☂year.

“What I am saying🍰 is that Checo is under no illusions as to the importance of P2 in the champ𓄧ionship.

“If he can keep getting the results in, and pleasing his fans, that will🉐 please Red Bu🐎ll too.”

Perez is currently second🌜 in the drivers’ standings and has a 39-point advantage over Hamilton.

But his form has been questioned in recent months, and the pressure rampe𒉰d up by the comeback of Daniel Ricciardo to Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri.

Th♓is weekend in Mexico, with♉ the crowd firmly in his corner, Perez has a huge chance to make a statement.