Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has announced his exit from the Formula One team, potentially paving the way for Kiwi Liam Lawson to take his place.
Perez made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter.
Twenty-two-year-old New Zealander Lawson is thought to be the leading contender to replace Perez, with his Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda the other possible option. Perez' replacement is expected to be announced in the coming days.
“After four incredible seasons together, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez have reached an agreement to part ways,” a Red Bull statement said.
“During this time, Checo played a crucial role in securing multiple Grand Prix wins, countless podium finishes, and two Constructors’ World Championships, significantly contributing to the team’s most successful era in Formula One.”
Perez started the 2024 season strongly for Red Bull, with four podiums in the opening five races, but became inconsistent as the season went on, eventually finishing in eighth place and costing Red Bull a chance at the constructors' championship despite Max Verstappen winning the drivers' title.
Thank you for these four years @redbullracing
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) December 18, 2024
I wish you the best. pic.twitter.com/9vLUwvqBDl
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such as amazing team. Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I’ll always cherish the success we achieved together, we broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way,” Perez said.
“It’s also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success. A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon.”
Perez has made 281 starts in Formula One since making his debut for Sauber in 2011. His last victory was last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
If Lawson does get announced as his replacement, he will move up into Red Bull’s senior ranks with just 11 races of experience, five in 2023 and six this year.
Lawson’s primary instruction in his 2024 stint was to better Tsunoda’s results, however, the Kiwi lost that head to head 4-2, despite taking a 4-1 lead in a five-race spell in 2023.
While Tsunoda is also a contender to move up into Red Bull, having been with the team since 2021, it’s understood senior figures within the team are hesitant to promote him.
Tsunoda is linked to Red Bull through engine supplier Honda, who are with Red Bull’s two teams until the end of next season. After that, though, Honda will join Aston Martin.
It’s understood that Red Bull do not want to give Tsunoda a year in their car, only to lose him 12 months later, and see him join a rival. Aston Martin have already landed one blow against Red Bull this year by signing legendary car designer Adrian Newey.
However, while Tsunoda was given a test drive in the Red Bull car after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Herald understands this was solely to appease Honda.
Red Bull academy driver Isack Hadjar looms as the likely candidate to step into Racing Bulls, once one of Lawson or Tsunoda is promoted.
Perez, 34, had only re-signed with Red Bull in June on a one-plus-one contract, where the 2025 season was guaranteed with a further option for the team in 2026.
However, after that, the Mexican driver’s form dramatically nosedived.
While Verstappen claimed a fourth successive drivers’ championship, Perez finished eighth, which saw Red Bull lose the constructors’ championship, and settle for third behind McLaren and Ferrari.
Across the season’s 24 races, Verstappen won nine for 437 points. In the same car, Perez did not record a single victory, finishing with 152 points.
That 285-point gap was not only the largest gulf between any two teammates this season, but larger than the combined difference of all other drivers across the nine other teams on the 2024 grid.
Perez’s drop in form can be held up as the sole reason Red Bull went from leading the constructors’ championship to third, resulting in an eight-figure loss in prizemoney.
And while Perez did bring in large revenue through sponsorship from his native Mexico, the Herald understands this no longer offset what Red Bull lost by falling down the championship.
– Alex Powell