Red Bull team principal Christian Horner spoke a little more and said that Sergio Perez had decided to “take a sabbatical” from F1, not (yet) a retirement.
This Wednesday, Perez and Red Bull confirmed their separation, with the 34-year-old Mexican leaving the team at the end of the 2024 season after four seasons together.
The expected announcement follows negotiations to determine the exact nature of the departure of Perez, who signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2025 and 2026 seasons earlier this year.
It has been reported that Perez could be offered an ambassador role at Red Bull and Horner suggested he would remain with the team despite stepping down from driver duties.
“He’s been a fantastic member of this team. It’s been a tough year for him, but he’s a great person and of course he played a key role in the 2021 drivers’ championship, the 2022 and 2023 constructors’ titles . He finished second in the drivers’ championship last year, he won five Grands Prix in our cars.”
“But he thought about it after the season and we sat down and talked last week about the next steps. And he decided to take some time off, to take a sabbatical from Formula 1 basically.”
Does he keep a role at Red Bull? Yes according to Horner but it’s still vague.
“He will still be involved with the brand and the team, but he is stepping back from driver duties in the future.”
“So we’re sad to see him leave the team, but obviously it’s time for him to spend time with his young family as well, and figure out what he wants to do in the future.”
Tsunoda or Lawson?
Red Bull has not confirmed Perez’s replacement for 2025, but Liam Lawson is considered the favorite to become Max Verstappen’s next teammate.
Horner confirmed this evening that the decision would come down to a choice between the 22-year-old New Zealander and his Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Official confirmation of Red Bull’s plans for 2025 is expected on Thursday or Friday, or even early next week.
"We have all the information we need," your Horner. “It will essentially be a choice between Yuki and Liam. Both have strong credentials.”
“We recently tested Yuki at the Abu Dhabi test to give him a chance to work with the engineering team. Liam has also done a lot of testing with us behind the scenes this year and drove very well during the six or seven races he competed in.”
“So we have all the information. We are reviewing and considering all this, we are also discussing with the engineering team and we will come to a conclusion in the next few days.”
Perez
Sergio Perez, for his part, has a video on social networks suggesting that he is taking a break from his racing career and not retirement.
“Four years ago, an opportunity presented itself that would change my life. In a moment of confusion and frustration, an opportunity presented itself that would transform my career. Hand in hand with my first victory (with Racing Point), I joined Red Bull.”
“I arrived with all the illusion of bringing the team back to the top. And flying my flag on the podium. It wasn’t easy, but with a lot of work and determination, the results arrived.”
“We were champions. Mexico sang with our first podium at home. And of course, we conquered Monaco. We made history with our own hands.”
“Today it’s time to thank Red Bull and move on. I’m grateful and honored to have been a part of their history.”
“On a personal note, it’s time to slow down for the first time in my life. But only a few turns before I know what my next journey will be.”
“To everyone who has been with me, I always thank you and no matter how difficult your dreams may seem, always dare to believe in them.”
“The best is always yet to come. We will meet again. Never give up.”
