- Sergio Perez and Red Bull Racing have agreed to part ways, punctuating a 2024 season informed by inconsistency and disappointment for the Mexican Formula 1 driver.
- Checo is expected to be replaced by New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson, who just replaced Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull junior team Visa Cash App RB F1 Team.
- Sergio Perez has earned six race wins, 39 podiums, three pole positions, and 1,638 career points across 285 entries.
In keeping with its reputation for being cutthroat towards underperforming drivers, Red Bull Racing has officially torn up its two-year contract with Sergio Perez nice and early after a lacklustre 2024 season.
Checo, who joined the team back in 2021, played an integral role in securing the race outfit’s last two F1 constructor championships; as well as teammate Max Verstappen’s first three title runs. But on the paddock, it’s all about “What have you done for me lately?”
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This season, the Mexican motorsport talent failed to notch a Top 5 finish in the final 18 races and trailed Verstappen by a staggering 285 points, torpedoing Red Bull Racing’s campaign for a third consecutive constructor championship in the process.
Instead, the team title — along with a crucial percentage of the pooled funding — will be awarded to key rival McLaren Racing.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team,” said Sergio Perez.
“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together. We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way.”
“It has also been an honour to race alongside Max [Verstappen] as a teammate all these years and to share in our success.”
Red Bull Racing Team Principal & CEO Christian Horner added: “I would like to thank Checo [Perez] for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons.”
“From the moment he joined in 2021, he proved himself to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two constructors’ titles and to our first one-two finish in the drivers’ championship.”
“While Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular team member and a treasured part of our history. Thank you, Checo.”
Reports indicate the New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson — who replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull junior team Visa Cash App RB F1 Team just months ago — will be announced as Max Verstappen’s partner for 2025. Despite all the stir caused by the recent Red Bull test drive of Lawson’s current teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Some theorise this decision has something to do with Tsunoda’s own imminent exit from the Red Bull family once the Honda partnership with Aston Martin F1 kicks into effect. Though it’s nothing more than a theory at this stage.
Lawson’s RB seat is expected to be filled by Formula 2 runner-up Isack Hadjar.
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As for Checo himself, this might not be the end of the road for his F1 journey. While he’s reportedly walked away from an ambassadorial role at Red Bull Racing — which would’ve been a savvy way of retaining the US$30 million per year sponsorship money he brings in — the man still has options.
The most obvious pathway involves the incoming 11th team, branded as General Motors/Cadillac, due to join the grid in 2026.
Pundits initially noted that Daniel Ricciardo — a personality beloved by Americans; and a grid veteran whose ultimate commodity to a new team is his experience — would be the perfect candidate. But in light of the revelation that the Australian has zero intentions of piloting a GM/Cadillac race rig, the next best option is Sergio Perez.
