Written by Christopher Conway, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Sergio Perez will part ways with Red Bull ahead of the 2025 F1 season. The decision was announced this evening, through a tweet posted by Perez himself on his social media handles.
Sergio Perez has had a rollercoaster few seasons, claiming five victories and 29 podiums during his time at Red Bull.
But a poor 2024 season with no wins and an eighth position finish in the championship cost the Austrian team a chance at the constructor's championship, which led to him being axed.
While Perez had renewed his contract with Red Bull through to 2026, his spot in the team came under intense scrutiny.
As Red Bull's dominant advantage waned in the second half of 2024, Perez's results started to drop off a cliff. With McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes showing competitiveness across the mid-season period, Red Bull even hinted at sacking the Mexican halfway through 2024.
However, the Austrian team retained the Mexican driver on their roster, giving him until the end of the season to prove his potential.
Perez's form nosedived further into the season, as he accumulated only nine points since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
In the same time period, Red Bull dropped from the lead of the constructors' standings to third, following Perez's struggles and Verstappen managing to salvage points to limit the damage in the standings.
Despite his waning form, Perez remained resolute of his space in the team, insisting he would be on their driver line-up in the coming years.
However, after a period of tense waiting and scrutiny, the news has finally broken that the Mexican will be departing the Austrian team after four seasons.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing, and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team," Perez mentioned in his social media post on X.
"Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I'll always cherish the success we achieved together. We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I've had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner quoted: “I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons.
“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.
“His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit. While Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular team member and a treasured part of our history. Thank you, Checo,” Horner said.
A team player, one who helped the team return to winning ways, Perez's contributions will certainly be remembered down at Red Bull.
Despite an off colour 2024, his defensive efforts to keep Lewis Hamilton at bay, and serving as an able ally to Verstappen helped the team clinch two constructors titles, and delivered Verstappen three titles.
Perez, who has struggled for form this past season, is expected to be paid a high figure following a contract renewal earlier this season. The payoff fee could reach up to $16 million, according to the 2016 champion, Nico Rosberg.
While nothing has been announced as yet, both VCARB drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have been rumoured to take Perez's spot at the senior team.
Williams junior Franco Colapinto was also in the race, before Red Bull announced they no longer had interest in pursuing the Argentine racer's services.
With that, 2024 continues to surprise and throw up dramatic twists and turns. You do not want to take your eye off the F1 driver market, for we could expect yet more news to come along, as the year draws to a close.
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