Perez NEW F1 role announced after Red Bull…read more
Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1 has taken a new direction following his departure from Red Bull, as the team officially announced that he will be leaving ahead of the 2025 season. Perez’s time at Red Bull had its ups and downs, with the Mexican driver starting 2024 strongly with four podium finishes in the first five races. However, his performance dipped significantly after that, leading to a marked decline in form. Despite his early success, Red Bull extended Perez’s contract until 2026, hoping he would regain his earlier pace, but these hopes were not realized.
By the end of the 2024 season, Perez finished in 8th place in the drivers’ standings, a significant 285 points behind his teammate, Max Verstappen. His inability to keep up with Verstappen, as well as McLaren and Ferrari’s rise in form, meant that Red Bull slipped to third in the constructors’ championship. As a result, Perez’s contract with Red Bull was terminated, and the team quickly moved to announce Liam Lawson as his replacement for 2025.
Despite this, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Perez for his contributions to the team, particularly his role in securing the 2021 Drivers’ Championship. Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner expressed gratitude for Perez’s time with the team, acknowledging that the year had been challenging for him but stressing that he remained an important figure in the team’s history.
Following his departure from the driver’s seat, Perez has opted for a sabbatical from F1 racing. He will still maintain an involvement with the Red Bull brand and team, but he will step away from active driving duties. Horner shared that Perez had decided to take some time off to focus on his young family and reflect on his future. The move comes after a season where Perez faced both personal and professional challenges, and now, with a reduced role within Red Bull, he will have the chance to step back and consider his next steps in the sport.
While Perez’s F1 driving career may have hit a pause, his legacy with Red Bull remains, and he will still contribute to the team in a new capacity, signaling an evolving chapter in his Formula 1 journey.
