Sergio Perez Opens Up About Burnout, Red Bull Exit, and Why Stepping Away Saved His Career
Formula 1 veteran Sergio “Checo” Perez has admitted that taking a break from the sport was not just an intentional decision—it was a necessary one. After years of relentless pressure and a demoralizing end to his Red Bull tenure, the Mexican driver says he found himself mentally drained and losing his passion for racing.
Perez’s departure from Red Bull came at the end of 2024, when the team officially announced that his contract would not continue and that young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson would take his seat. With no available opportunities on the grid that matched his expectations, Perez made the bold decision to walk away completely, rather than take on reserve, testing, or media duties. It would become the first time in over a decade that Checo was absent from the paddock.
At first, the sabbatical seemed like a forced outcome of circumstance—but now Perez admits it was exactly what he needed.
“At the time I didn’t realise it, but I needed that break,” Perez told Formula 1’s official site. “When you’re in F1, you’re always thinking ahead—the next race, the next contract, the next season. You just run on autopilot. But stepping away broke that cycle. It made me see everything differently.”
Perez explained that the final stretch of his time with Red Bull was emotionally and mentally exhausting. While his four-year stint included six race wins, multiple podiums, and crucial support in Max Verstappen’s championship campaigns, the latter months became overwhelmingly difficult.
“My last six months at Red Bull were extremely tough in every sense,” he continued. “I started to lose motivation. And I cannot allow myself to lose that, because this sport has given me everything.”
He stressed that he wanted to leave Formula 1 with dignity and appreciation—not bitterness. “Whenever the day comes that I retire, I want to leave this sport smiling and full of respect. I never want to walk away because I stopped loving it.”
Why Red Bull Dropped Perez
Given Perez’s contributions to their championship streak, many fans were shocked when Red Bull announced they would be parting ways with him. But inside the team, the decision had been brewing.
After helping Verstappen secure multiple world titles and contributing to two consecutive constructors’ championships, Perez’s performance began to fluctuate. Although he started 2024 strongly—which earned him a contract extension early in the year—things quickly fell apart. From mid-2023 through most of 2024, the gap between Perez and Verstappen grew impossible to ignore. Poor qualifying, inconsistent race pace, and mounting pressure meant Red Bull eventually felt they needed a faster, more reliable second driver.
In the end, the team chose long-term potential over experience—replacing Perez with 23-year-old Liam Lawson.
A Fresh Start With Cadillac
Perez did not stay away forever. In 2026, he is set to make a dramatic return, signing with the brand-new Cadillac Formula 1 team, teaming up with Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas.
The move marks a new chapter not just for Perez but for American motorsport. Cadillac’s F1 entry has been highly anticipated, and securing two experienced race winners gives the team immediate credibility. For Perez, the comeback represents a reset—a chance to race without the overwhelming expectations that come with being Verstappen’s teammate.
“I’m returning with fresh energy,” he said. “That time away helped me rediscover why I love this sport. And now, with Cadillac, I feel like I’m arriving at the start of something exciting rather than the end of something difficult.”
Perez’s Legacy and What Comes Next
Sergio Perez remains one of the most successful Latin American drivers in Formula 1 history. His journey—from nearly losing his career when the original Sauber team collapsed, to winning races for Force India, Racing Point, and Red Bull—has made him one of the most admired fighters on the grid.
But his story also highlights a growing conversation in F1: the toll of constant performance pressure. Even among top drivers, burnout is becoming an open topic.
Perez hopes that his experience serves as a reminder that stepping away sometimes isn’t failure—it’s survival.
“Sometimes you need to disconnect to remember who you are,” he said. “I’ve done that. Now I’m ready to come back with everything I have.”
For Perez, the sabbatical wasn’t the end of a career—it was the pause required to begin again. And if his comeback with Cadillac succeeds, it may become one of Formula 1’s most compelling redemption stories.
