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Red Bull and Sergio Perez Part Ways After Frustrating 2024 Season and Christian Horner says that is time for Perez to reflect on future

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Christian Horner about Sergio Perez: “He’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is, I’m going to let Checo come to his own conclusions”

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Sergio Perez’s tenure at Red Bull Racing has come to an end following a challenging 2024 campaign. Despite starting the season with four podiums in the first five races, Perez’s struggles in the latter half of the year contributed to Red Bull losing the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren. The announcement of his departure came a week after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking the end of his Red Bull career.

“A Tough Decision and a Fond Farewell”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reflected on Perez’s time with the team, highlighting his significant contributions, including helping Max Verstappen secure his first Drivers’ Championship in 2021 and Red Bull’s Constructors’ titles in 2022 and 2023.

“Checo has been a fantastic member of this team. It’s been a tough year for him, but he’s a great person and has played such a key role in our success,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.

While Perez’s contract was extended earlier in the season, Horner explained that the driver had ultimately decided to step away to spend time with his family and evaluate his future.

“We’re sad to see him leave, but it’s time for him to reflect on what he wants to do next.”

“Struggles on the Track”

Perez’s performance began to falter mid-season, with Red Bull’s car becoming increasingly tailored to Verstappen’s driving style. Horner acknowledged that the narrow performance window of the car posed a challenge for Perez, leading to a significant points gap between him and his teammate.

“The harder you try, sometimes the slower you go. It became almost like a vicious circle for him,” Horner said.

While Perez showed flashes of his old form in Azerbaijan, consistency eluded him, and the team struggled to recover in the Constructors’ standings.

“Legal Hurdles and Contractual Complications”

Perez’s departure wasn’t without legal complexities, as he had signed a two-year contract extension earlier in 2024. Horner explained that performance clauses in the contract ultimately allowed for an amicable resolution:

“At the time we signed it, he’d had four podiums in five races, so it was a logical extension to remove speculation. But this decision of Sergio’s to step away was his own.”

“The Changing Red Bull Lineup”

Perez’s exit set off a domino effect in Red Bull’s driver lineup. Liam Lawson, who impressed during his time with AlphaTauri, was promoted to the second Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar was brought into VCARB to partner Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda, however, remains a controversial omission from the Red Bull senior team, with many feeling he was the more deserving candidate for a promotion.

“Both Tsunoda and Lawson deserved the promotion,” Horner admitted, but the decision ultimately favored Lawson.

“The Legacy of Checo”

Perez leaves Red Bull with five Grand Prix victories and a runner-up finish in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship. Despite a challenging final year, his tenure will be remembered for pivotal moments that contributed to Red Bull’s dominance during the Verstappen era.

As the 2025 season approaches, Red Bull’s reshuffled lineup faces high expectations. For Perez, the focus now shifts to his sabbatical, providing time to reflect on his career and consider the next chapter.

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