Red Bull has announced that Sergio Perez will leave the team early, ending his contract two years before its scheduled end. The move comes after a disappointing season for the Mexican driver, who failed to win a race and finished on the podium only four times.
Perez, 34, had been driving for Red Bull since 2021 but was unable to match the form of teammate Max Verstappen, who won his fourth world title. Despite being instrumental in Verstappen’s first world title in 2021, Perez struggled with consistency and lost ground on the Dutch driver.
The decision to drop Perez raises questions about team principal Christian Horner’s decision-making. In May last year, Horner signed Perez to a two-year extension, despite some doubting his ability to recover from a slump in form. However, despite attempts at reviving his career, Perez’s performances did not improve.
Perez will be replaced by 22-year-old Liam Lawson, who is set to drive for the sister team Racing Bulls. Frenchman Isack Hadjar and Japanese Yuki Tsunoda are also expected to join Racing Bulls alongside Lawson.
The news comes after a tumultuous season that saw Red Bull lose the constructors’ championship despite Verstappen’s nine victories. The team finished third behind McLaren and Ferrari, with many attributing their loss to the struggles of Perez and other drivers.
Horner thanked Perez for his contributions to the team, saying he was an “extraordinary team player” who helped the team win two constructors’ titles. However, it appears that Horner’s decision has ultimately benefited Verstappen’s chances of success in 2025.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/articles/cq5ljdx2d43o