This was the expected announcement in recent weeks: Sergio Pérez will not return to Red Bull Racing in 2025, despite the contract which linked him to the team until 2026. The Mexican driver was finally dismissed after a disastrous 2024 season , as confirmed by the Austrian team.
Pérez had won a two-year contract extension thanks to the internal struggle in the team between manager Christian Horner and consultant Helmut Marko, but after that his performances had been in free fall.
The negotiations therefore took place, while he had brandished his contract as a defense to all the rumors until the last race in Abu Dhabi, where the Mexican had finally half-heartedly admitted that he and the team had a different vision of the future.
“After four successful seasons together and following the conclusion of the longest Formula 1 season in history, Sergio Pérez and Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025”the team wrote.
For his part, the Mexican thanked the team for the four seasons he spent there: “I am incredibly grateful for these four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an incredible team.”
“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I will always cherish the successes we have achieved together. We have broken records, achieved remarkable milestones and I have had the privilege of meeting many incredible people along the way. “
“A big thank you to every person on the team, from management, engineers and mechanics, catering, hospitality, culinary, marketing and communications, and everyone at Milton Keynes. I wish you the best for the future.”
“It was also an honor to race alongside Max as a teammate for all these years and share in our success. A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We We’ll see you again soon. And remember… you should never give up.”
It is not yet clear who will take the wheel alongside Max Verstappen, but Christian Horner, the team principal, praised Pérez: “I would like to thank Checo for everything he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons.”
“From the moment he arrived in 2021, he proved to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two constructors’ titles and our first drivers’ championship double.”
“His five victories, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push the limits. Although Checo will not race for the team next season, he will still be a hugely popular member of the team. team and a valuable part of our history. Thank you, Checo.”
For the name of the replacement, we will therefore have to wait a few hours or a few days, certainly out of respect for Pérez.
“The announcement regarding the full team composition for 2025 will be made in due course,” also lets the team know.
It is Liam Lawson who is the favorite to be promoted by Red Bull Racing alongside Verstappen. The New Zealander would have visibly convinced his managers, and he would be the first quasi-rookie driver to join the team since Alex Albon during the 2019 season.
Yuki Tsunoda would therefore not have his much-hoped-for promotion, despite four solid seasons at AlphaTauri then RB F1, and despite very convincing tests in Abu Dhabi last week. If this is confirmed, he will remain the spearhead of the second team, which will officially take the name Racing Bulls in 2025.
Alongside him, a third French driver could join the grid, since it is Isack Hadjar who would be best placed to win promotion to F1, after finishing second in the Formula 2 championship behind Gabriel Bortoleto this season.
We will discuss it this evening in ‘Grand Prix’, in our special program on the results of the 2024 season, which will also be an opportunity to discuss the prospects for 2025 of each team. See you at 8:30 p.m. on Nextgen-Auto or on our Twitch channel!
