Sergio Perez will no longer be a regular driver for Red Bull with immediate effect. Who will be Max Verstappen’s teammate next season?
December 18, 2024
Mesis and months of indecision end today. With the seat in the balance for almost the entire season, Red Bull has decided to end Sergio Perez’s experience alongside Max Verstappen with immediate effect after four years. The Mexican, therefore, will leave the team and, at least for the moment, Formula 1 starting from the next 2025 season.
Lthe year that has just ended for Sergio Perez it was one of the most complicated since arriving in Milton Keynes four years ago as standard bearer for the Austrian team. Despite the results below expectations of Christian Horner and the entire Company, also the result of the problems encountered by Max Verstappen with the RB20, Red Bull had decided in May to confirm his presence alongside the four-time world champion for at least next year. A two-year 1+1 renewal with the possibility of termination for 2026.
With only nine points scored in the last Grands Prix of this 2024 season, Checo Perez finished in eighth place in the Drivers’ standingswithout being able to give its contribution to the defense of Red Bull’s Constructors’ titlethen conquered by McLaren in extremis against Scuderia Ferrari. Christian Horner’s team, which dominated the previous two championships, was only third. A very complicated situation that all of Red Bull tried to resolve anyway giving maximum support to the Mexicanbut the hoped-for effects never arrived, not even in Abu Dhabi. It is inevitable, therefore, the decision to separate with immediate effecteven though number #11 had continually reassured the press and fans that his seat was safe for 2025. And yet…
“I am incredibly grateful for the last four years spent with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team – he commented Perez – Driving for Red Bull was an unforgettable experience and I will always cherish with affection the successes we have achieved together. We’ve broken records, achieved amazing goals, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way. A big thank you to everyone on the team, from management, engineers and mechanics, to catering, hospitality, cooking, marketing and communications, as well as everyone at Milton Keynes. I wish you the best for the future. It has also been an honor to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and share in our success. Special thanks to fans around the world, and especially to Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We will meet again soon. And remember… never give up”.
“I would like to thank Checo for everything he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the last four seasons. Since his arrival in 2021, he has proven himself to be one extraordinary team playerhelping us win two constructors’ titles and achieve our first double in the drivers’ championship. His five victories, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular sign of his determination to always push himself to the limit. Even though Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular member of the team and a valuable part of our history. Thank you, Checo,” he added Christian Horner.
Lawson, Tsunoda and Hadjar: the chair game for the seat in Red Bull
Cwith this decision, Sergio Perez remains off the grid for next Formula 1 seasonat least for the moment. It will be necessary to understand whether he will be interested in staying around for a possible call in the future from another team or dedicating himself to something else, away from the world of single-seaters, as Kevin Magnussen did who will take part in the 2025 season of FIA WEC con BMW in Hypercar. Who will take his place, however, will be a decision that Red Bull “will take in due time”. He is currently in pole position for that seat Liam Lawsonwhich has yet to extend its contract with the RB Visa Cash App. The one who made his debut with the RB20 was Yuki Tsunodatook to the track for post-season testing in Abu Dhabi, leaving Helmut Marko amazed by the feedback given to the team on the session. He also waits at the window Isack Hadjarwho came second in Formula 2, just behind the winner Gabriel Bortoleto, who will certainly be on board the Kick Sauber-Audi with Nico Hulkenberg.
