Formula 1
New colleague for Verstappen: Out for Pérez at Red Bull
World champion Max Verstappen gets a new team partner. For the Mexican Sergio Pérez, Red Bull is over. His future in Formula 1 is very questionable.
Sergio Pérez has to vacate his cockpit at Red Bull. The 34-year-old Mexican’s Formula 1 career could be over. The driver himself announced the decision via X. “After four incredible years, Red Bull and Sergio Pérez have agreed to go their separate ways in the future,” Pérez wrote. Red Bull shared the photo immediately afterwards.
The separation no longer comes as a surprise, even though Pérez had emphasized for months that he would continue to drive for Red Bull in 2025 in accordance with his contract. “It is an honor for me to have ridden alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to have contributed to our success,” wrote the Mexican.
New Zealander Liam Lawson is set to become series world champion Max Verstappen’s new teammate. The 22-year-old, like Verstappen himself and former successful driver Sebastian Vettel, would be promoted from Red Bull’s second team, which currently competes under the name Racing Bulls.
Lawson replaced Australian Daniel Ricciardo (35) at the Racing Bulls last season. The 20-year-old Frenchman Isack Hadjar could drive there instead of Lawson next year and celebrate his Formula 1 racing debut. He finished second overall in Formula 2 this year.
The second half of the year turns into a debacle
After a strong start, Pérez experienced a miserable second half of the season. The 2023 runner-up world champion only came eighth in the rankings. He scored 152 points, world champion Verstappen 437.
Pérez’s weakness cost Red Bull its title defense in the constructors’ championship. There the racing team had to admit defeat to McLaren and Ferrari in third place.
Pérez’s chance of 300 Grand Prix gone
Pérez’s Formula 1 career began in 2011 at Sauber. After two years he moved to McLaren, but only stayed there for one season. From 2014, Pérez started for Force India. The team later became Racing Point. At the end of 2020, the driver from Guadalajara left the racing team for Red Bull.
The hope of 300 Grand Prix in the premier motorsport class may now be gone for Pérez. After 282 Grand Prix and his exit in the second round at this year’s season finale, it’s over.
dpa
