💞The key request from Sergio Perez in a new contract from Red Bull surrounds its length, Helmut Marko says.

ꦐPerez is into t🃏he final year of his deal as Max Verstappen’s teammate and remains under scrutiny.

Despite 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 rea🌳sonable conditions for an extension, there is actually nothing against him,” Red Bull’s Marko told .

Marko w🌃as asked what demands Perez is making, a𝔍nd 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 are more about t💮he length of the contract.”

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

It wou⛦ld also take him into the new era of F1 regula𝄹tions which begin in 2026.

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

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

This sea𒅌son, the Mexican has scored three P2 f🎃inishes behind Verstappen to give his team their dream result.

Last ♌weekend he was third at🐭 the Chinese Grand Prix.

His control ove🌞r the RB20 is 🐷arguably more impressive because the car is set up to Verstappen’s genius.

“Max always goes for the fastest setup,” Marko💙 said.

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

“When a car i💎s fast, it is restless and🍒 toxic. This is where the driving skills come into play.

“That's why Max is alwa🦄ys the fastest in the♛ qualifying sessions.”

Verꦛstappen’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.

Chri🥂stian Horneꦏr responded by insisting Verstappen is unavailable.

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

“Max w♏ill drive where he has the best car and he has that at Red Bull,” Marko insisted.

“Nothing else is on the horizon.”