Sergio Perez's future in motorsport could already be on the horizon, with sources suggesting he may join Ferrari's World Endurance Championship (WEC) program.
Following his agreement with Red Bull to part ways and the payout of his 2025 contract, estimated at $16 million, the 34-year-old Mexican driver is reportedly exploring new opportunities in racing.
His father, Antonio Perez Garibay, has downplayed the likelihood of his son pursuing other motorsport categories.
"I am sure that the door to Formula 1 is not closed for Checo if something very good and big comes along," he told Mexican broadcaster N-plus Foro. "I don't think Checo will go to a team like Sauber or Haas. Checo will either sign a contract with a big team, or the door is closed.
"No Indycar, no Nascar, no Le Mans. I am 100 percent sure of that," Perez senior added.
"For the moment, what Checo has to do is concentrate on enjoying his family, because it was many years, many sacrifices, and that had to end one day and that day is today," he said.
However, Spanish sports newspaper Marca is reporting that Perez has been in talks with a top-level WEC team for several weeks.
"Perez has no intention of retiring from motor racing, not even from the top category," wrote correspondent Marco Canseco. "According to what we have found out, the Mexican is in very advanced negotiations to become a WEC driver with one of the best teams in the top Hypercar category."
The report further states that Perez is finalising an agreement with Ferrari for a role in key WEC events, including the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours.
"He is finalising an agreement with Ferrari and thus returning to his origins, as he was in the Ferrari academy before arriving in F1 with Sauber," Marca confidently claimed.