Sergio Pérez announced for return to F1 with new opportunities on the horizon

Helmut Marko is convinced that Sergio Perez's Formula 1 career is not over, despite the Mexican driver leaving Red Bull last December.

After months of speculation and strong statements that he would not leave the team, Perez and Red Bull have finally announced that they have agreed to part ways with immediate effect.

Sergio Perez still has ambitions in F1

Early last year, Perez signed a new two-year contract with Red Bull to race until 2026, but even this new deal was not enough to turn around his season, with his performances dropping as the months went by.

With just four podium finishes in the season's 24 races, all achieved in the first five events, Perez finished with 152 points, including collecting just nine points in his final eight races.

He ranks 285 points behind champion teammate Max Verstappen, which cost Red Bull dearly in the constructors' championship, where the team finished in third place.

However, although he claimed he had no intention of leaving, a stance he maintained until the final race, he admitted in Abu Dhabi that his future was uncertain. Two weeks later, Perez and Red Bull confirmed their separation and Liam Lawson was named as his replacement.

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However, according to his former sports advisor Marko, Perez might not stay away from the sport for very long.

“I think he still has ambitions in Formula 1, even if all the seats for next year are already taken,” the septuagenarian said, according to the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com. “However, if he chooses not to race for a year, as an experienced driver new opportunities could always present themselves.”

Red Bull is reported to have paid Perez millions to free him, although the exact amount has not been confirmed by either party.

Marko, however, clarified that this represented an “acceptable outcome for both parties taking into account the contracts”.

“At first he didn't believe it. He was constantly hoping to find his best form,” he added.

“He won five races with us and finished runner-up in the world, but it just didn't work out. He finally understood that he couldn’t come back from this and that separating was the best option.”

Perez spoke out about his departure from Red Bull earlier this month, telling ESPN Deportes that he plans to take “six months” before deciding “what I want for the rest of my career”.

“It's too early to answer about my intention to return to Formula 1. Everything happened very quickly at the end of last season, and I didn't expect to leave the team.”

According to his father, Antonio Perez Garibay, he could consider a move to Formula E, although no date has been given.

He told Marca: “Formula E is a category that has been around for 11 years and continues to progress. Today it is the second best category, and in five years it will probably be the main one.”

“Look out, we might see Checo Perez running there. That wouldn’t be a problem.”

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