Despite Red Bull preaching patience with their struggling driver, Sergio Perez, the team decided to go in a different direction for 2025.
According to multiple reports, Perez is expected to leave Red Bull at the end of the 2024 Formula One season. The team made the decision following Perez’s lackluster performance at the Qatar Grand Prix over the weekend. He finished 20th in the sprint and started the race from No. 9 before spinning out to the gravel in Lap 40.
Perez signed a new contract extension with Red Bull through the 2026 F1 season back in the summer. At the time, the 34-year-old driver was coming off his best year, finishing second in Driver Standings behind teammate Max Verstappen.
However, Perez’s form has taken a dramatic dip in 2024. He made the podium just four times and is sitting eighth in Driver Standings with just one race left in the season. His poor performances also caused Red Bull to lose its Constructors title, sitting third in the standings behind McLaren and Ferrari.
Considering that Perez still has two years on the contract, Red Bull can’t release him. However, they can assign him another role, or the driver can choose to quit himself.
“He’s not enjoying the situation he’s in at the moment,” said Red Bull’s CEO when asked about Perez. “… I think he’s old enough and wise enough to come to his own conclusions but there is still a race to go so let’s get to the end of Abu Dhabi and see where we are at.”
If Red Bull actually replaces Perez, they have several options to turn to, including RB’s Liam Lawson and junior driver Isack Hadjar, who is currently competing in Formula 2.
Perez, on the other hand, might have limited options, considering almost all places on the grid for the 2025 F1 season are locked in.
