൩The key request from Ser🃏gio Perez in a new contract from Red Bull surrounds its length, Helmut Marko says.

Perez is into the finaꦏl year of his deal as Max Verstappen’s teammate and remains under scrutiny.

Despit🌸e red-hot form to begin the F1 2024 season, his future is 🍃constantly a topic of debate as other candidates are touted to replace him.

“As long as Checo is in such good form as he is now, and he comes with reasonable conditions for an extension, there is actually nothing against him,” Red Bull’s༒ Marko told .

Marko was asꦰked what demands Perez is making, a🌱nd whether the driver would even have to pay the team to secure his desired drive.

Marko denied this,🦋 and said: “In fact, he even brings Mexican sponsors with him.

“His demands areꦉ more ab🦋out the length of the contract.”

Perez, now 34, is in his fourth year at Red Bull so a lengthy contract would take him into h✨is late-30s.

It would also take him into the new era of F1 regulations which begin in 202𒈔6.

By contrast, Carlos Sainz - one of the obvious options to replace Perez - is fiv𓂃e years younger.

So Red Bull must consider whether they are ౠjust investing in the results that Perez is delivering now, or the driver he will become as he gets older.

This season, the Mexican has scored three P2 finiܫshes behind Verstappen to give his team their dream result.

L✤ast weekend he was third at the Chinese 𓆉Grand Prix.

His control over the RB20 is arguably more impre⛦ssive because the car is set up to Verstappen’s genius.

“Max a🎉lways goes foꦕr the fastest setup,” Marko said.

“Of course, this isn't always easy to drive.

“Wꦜhen a car is fast, it is restless and toxic. This is where the driving skills come into play.

“That's why Max is always the fastest in the qualifyin𒀰g sessions.”

Verstappen’s own future remains up😼 for discussion, with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff irking Red Bull last week in China by implying the 🌠F1 champion is on the market.

Christian Horner responded by insisting Verstappen is unavail🐲able.

He reportedly has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if Marko also exits🐻.

“Max will drive where he has the bes♍t car and he has that at Red Bull,” Marko insisted.

“Nothing else is on the horizon.”