'Red Bull bids farewell to Sergio Perez; Liam Lawson poised to claim spot'
Sergio Perez and Red Bull Racing have come to an agreement to part ways, signaling the end of a turbulent period for the Mexican driver and the F1 team.
This decision comes after Red Bull placed third in the 2024 constructors' championship, while Perez struggled through his worst season since joining the team.
Perez's teammate, Max Verstappen, secured his fourth consecutive drivers' championship, but Perez himself finished in eighth place overall. This was a significant drop from his second place finish in the 2023 standings.
Perez joined the Red Bull team in 2021 and signed a two-year contract extension in June. However, his decline in performance prompted Red Bull to consider other options for his replacement.
In a statement on social media, Perez expressed his gratitude for his time with Red Bull: "I am incredibly thankful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an exceptional team."
He continued, "Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I will always cherish the successes we achieved together. We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I have had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way."
According to reports, Perez was offered an ambassador role with Red Bull, but ultimately decided to walk away from his contract entirely.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also expressed his appreciation for Perez's contributions to the team over the past four years.
"Since joining in 2021, he has proven himself to be an exceptional team player, helping us secure two constructors' titles and our first one-two finish in the drivers' championship," Horner said.
"His five wins, all on street circuits, were a testament to his determination to always push to the limit. While Checo will not be racing for the team next season, he will always be a beloved team member and a cherished part of our history. Thank you, Checo."
Perez has achieved six wins and 39 podium finishes since his F1 debut in 2011. His most recent victory was at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Although no official announcement has been made, it is rumored that 22-year-old Liam Lawson will be Perez's replacement. Lawson has been a part of the Red Bull junior team since 2019 and took over Daniel Ricciardo's seat for Red Bull's RB team (formerly AlphaTauri) this season. He has 11 F1 starts under his belt.
Isack Hadjar, a dual citizen of France and Algeria, is expected to take Lawson's place on the RB team alongside Yuki Tsunoda of Japan. Hadjar finished second in the F2 circuit in 2024 with Campos Racing.
