Sergio Perez leaves Red Bull as he and the team part ways!

Credit: Mark Thompson

After four seasons as a partnership, Mexican driver Sergio Perez and Red Bull Racing have parted ways on Wednesday, the team has announced.

The six-time Grand Prix winner has been relieved off his duties with Red Bull opting to go down a different path, despite Perez signing a contract extension in May to see him through until the end of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Perez has been part of a period of success at the Red Bull Racing as they won both of the 2022 and 2023 Constructors Championships, whilst also being teammate to Max Verstappen for each of the Dutchman's four drivers world championships.

The piece of news was announced by Formula 1 media and Red Bull Racing media in the early hours of Wednesday evening on December 18. The news now leaves two vacant positions on the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship grid to be filled with there also being a space open at Visa Cash App RB.

On parting ways with Red Bull and reflecting on his time with the team, Perez released a statement on social media. 

In the statement, Perez said: "'I'm incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team. Driving for Red Bull Racing 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 continued: "A big thank you to every person in the team from management, engineers and mechanics; catering, hospitality, kitchen, marketing, and communications, as well as everyone at Milton Keynes. I wish you all the best in the future."

Red Bull Racing also paid tribute on social media to Perez, saying "Gracias por todo Perez" which translates as "Thank you for everything."

Many have been speculating just who will come in and replace Sergio Perez and ever since signing his contract speculation was vastly growing in regards to whether he would see out the season as Pierre Gasly was once released from Red Bull Racing mid-season in 2019 for below par performances from where the car is expected to be.

After failing to finish the final two Grand Prix of the season, and at the end of the 24-round season he would finish eighth in the standings with 152 points, which would be 285 points away from his teammate Verstappen, who went onto crown the championship.

What would be more of a concern to Red Bull is that they finished third in the Constructors Championship behind Ferrari and eventual champions McLaren. Perez' low points tally may not have been the only contributing factor but many Formula 1 pundits and analysts where having the same feeling.

The great debate of who would replace him has not been short of talk via social media with Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, the two drivers who raced at the end of the season for Visa Cash App RB, being the two favourites for the position. Chris Medland believes that Lawson is the favourite, and Red Bull are set to be big fans of the New Zealander.

However, Tsunoda has had an impressive season of his own and has had the measure of both Lawson and previous teammate Daniel Ricciardo, when going head to head at qualifying positions and race finishes.

Perez first joined the sport in 2011 with Sauber and showed an impressive amount of speed and was challenging for a race victory with Fernando Alonso in Malaysia. Then came a stint at McLaren who he raced for in 2013, before leaving to join Force India in 2014. 

The now 34-year old stayed with Force India, which became Racing Point fully in 2019 after Lawrence Stroll took over ownership of the team. However, at the end of 2020 he would be replaced by Sebastian Vettel.

That's when he was signed by Red Bull to rescue Perez from not having a seat on the grid. He won five Grand Prix with the team, with two coming at his most successful circuit - the Baku City Circuit, in Azerbaijan. Those two victories make him the most successful driver at that specific venue - quite the achievement.

As for moving forward for Sergio Perez, he has no confirmed seat for 2025 or 2026 now that he and Red Bull have parted ways, making that contract that he signed in May, voided. This now leaves Max Verstappen's teammate to be decided as the countdown is progressing until the start of the 2025 season.