Red Bull and Checo Perez Set to Part Ways at the End of the Season
The Mexican Driver Is Rumored to Be on His Way Out of Red Bull After Disappointing Season
The End of an Era
Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez, one of Mexico’s most celebrated drivers, is reportedly nearing the end of his time with Red Bull Racing. Although he signed a contract extension earlier this year, a series of inconsistent performances and a lack of podium finishes have cast doubt on his future with the team. As F1 rumors grow, it appears that Red Bull is preparing to make a change, potentially leaving Perez without a race seat for the 2025 season.
Every F1 fan watching Sergio Perez: pic.twitter.com/f9Cj6aOOZc
— theScore (@theScore) December 1, 2024
A Contract With Strings Attached
When Perez inked his contract extension with Red Bull, it came with specific clauses that safeguarded his role within the organization, even if his performance faltered. This arrangement mirrors Daniel Ricciardo’s transition from driver to brand ambassador in previous years. If Red Bull proceeds with this strategy, Perez could find himself representing the team off the track rather than competing on it.
Although he started the season as one of the betting odds favorites, this might signal the end of his career.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has alluded to the challenges Perez faced in this F1 schedule. While praising the driver’s resilience, Horner left the door open for Perez to consider his future:
“Checo is wise enough to understand the situation. Discussions will follow after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but no one is pushing him in any particular direction.”
For Perez, this could mean a pivot to a new chapter with Red Bull, potentially leveraging his immense popularity in Latin America as a global ambassador for the brand.
Sergio Perez’s last eight qualifying efforts:
Qatar (Sprint): 16th
Las Vegas: 16th
Brazil: 13th
Brazil (Sprint): 13th
Mexico: 18th
Austin: 10th
Austin (Sprint): 11th
Singapore: 13th pic.twitter.com/MQN2JqaHpN— Autosport (@autosport) November 29, 2024
Limited Options for a New Seat
With most teams already finalizing their driver line-ups for the 2025 season, finding a competitive seat on the grid presents a formidable challenge for Perez. Red Bull’s talent pipeline, including drivers like Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, seems ready to step into the spotlight, leaving little room for the seasoned Mexican racer.
Sergio Perez will finish the 2024 Formula 1 Season P8, the lowest position of a champions’ teammate since Jos Verstappen in 1994 👀 pic.twitter.com/oGd8JhzYQ6
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) December 1, 2024
Perez’s recent performance has further complicated his situation. Since the Miami Grand Prix in May, he has had difficulty finishing in the top six, which stands in stark contrast to teammate Max Verstappen’s dominant results. The current gap in the F1 standings—227 points—represents the largest margin between a world champion and their teammate in the modern scoring era.
Sergio Perez’s net worth is approximately 50 million dollars, and he ranks among the top five highest-paid drivers on the grid, making it challenging for a small team to acquire his services.
However, there is still a glimmer of hope. With F1 news reporting the potential introduction of a Cadillac-backed team in 2026, Perez’s marketability could position him as an attractive candidate for the team.
