Sergio Perez has officially announced his departure from Red Bull Racing, bringing an end to his four-year stint with the team after a challenging 2024 campaign .
The Mexican driver, who joined the squad in 2021, leaves with immediate effect following a mutual agreement with the team in the wake of Formula 1's season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Perez's 2024 campaign was marked by his persistent underperformance relative to his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen and his struggles to adapt to the team's RB20, a significant factor in the Milton Keynes outfit losing ground to the F1's Constructors' championship.
While the Mexican had consistently maintained his intention to honor his contract, which ran through 2026, the rumors of an early departure lingered.
On Wednesday, the official announcement arrived, confirming what many had suspected, that team and driver would be parting ways, effective immediately.
The news, although widely anticipated, still carries a weight of finality. Perez's four-year tenure with the team, a period that had seen both triumphs and tribulations, has come to an end.
In a statement released to the public, Perez expressed his gratitude for his time with the team.
“I'm incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team,” said the 34-year-old.
“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I will 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.
“A big thank you to every person in the team, from management, engineers, mechanics, catering, hospitality, kitchen, marketing and communications, as well as everyone at Milton Keynes. I wish you all the best for the future.
“It's also been an honor to race alongside Max as a team-mate 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. And remember…never give up.”
While there had been discussions about Perez potentially remaining with Red Bull in an ambassadorial role, these plans have apparently not materialized.
"I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons," commented Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
"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 1-2 finish in the Drivers' championship. His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit.
"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."
Perez's departure marks a clean break, opening a coveted seat alongside Verstappen. The speculation now immediately turns to who will fill the void, with Red Bull's junior drivers, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, emerging as the frontrunners.
Lawson is widely considered the favorite for the high-pressure role. With Perez's departure confirmed, the Formula 1 world now awaits Red Bull's announcement of their new driver, ushering in a new chapter for the team.
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