Sergio Perez’s tenure at Red Bull Racing has officially come to an end, concluding four seasons marked by notable successes as well as challenges. The Mexican driver has parted ways with the Formula 1 team after negotiations during the recent race weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This decision follows the team’s struggles during the 2024 season, where they failed to defend their Constructors' Championship title, finishing third behind McLaren and Ferrari.
Perez, who joined Red Bull Racing for the 2021 season, played an integral role in the team’s triumphs, helping them clinch two Constructors’ Championships and achieving significant milestones alongside his teammate, four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Over his four seasons, Perez notched up five race wins, including prestigious victories at the Monaco Grand Prix and two wins at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, famed for his street circuit prowess. His efforts contributed to the team’s historic first one-two finish in the Drivers’ standings, as he secured second place to Verstappen last year.
Despite this success, the 2024 season became increasingly difficult for Perez. He initially started strong, securing four podiums within the first five races. Unfortunately, after placing fourth at the Chinese Grand Prix, his performance sharply declined, culminating in him finishing eighth overall in the drivers' championship and collecting only 49 points over the final 18 races. This decline raised questions about his future with the team, leading to discussions and eventual agreement to part ways.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team,” Perez reflected. “Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together.” He personalizes this farewell by thanking the team members and, especially, the fans for their unwavering support, particularly praising his compatriots from Mexico.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team principal, also expressed his gratitude for Perez’s contributions, stating, “From the moment he joined in 2021, he proved himself to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two Constructors’ titles and to our first one-two finish in the Drivers’ championship.” Horner acknowledged Perez’s five wins and his competitive spirit, noting his significant role within the team.
The decision to end the partnership was one reached following extensive discussions, culminating as both parties sought to move forward. Rumors about Perez's rapid decline had circulated throughout the season, impacting the team’s sponsorship and overall performance. The split, announced amid speculations, brings to light Perez's challenges after securing what was considered the strongest season of his career in 2023.
Red Bull will announce its complete driver lineup for 2025 shortly, with New Zealander Liam Lawson as the frontrunner to replace Perez. This change not only opens the door for Lawson but also provides more opportunities within Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls. Interestingly, the final months of Perez's F1 career remain uncertain with no available positions for him within the current grid. This raises questions about his next steps, whether he will seek to re-enter F1 with the anticipated Cadillac team set to join the grid by 2026.
Perez’s father has already hinted at his son possibly stepping away from competitive racing, fueling speculations about retirement as they focus on family matters, though Perez himself has not confirmed such plans. “A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And I’d like to remind you all to never give up,” concluded Perez, leaving fans and pundits to ponder what lies ahead.
The departure of Sergio Perez marks the end of not just his time with Red Bull but as one of the key figures of recent Formula 1 outings. While he and the team bid farewell, there’s anticipation for Lawson’s potential promotion and the next chapter of Perez’s career, whatever it might entail.
