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Red Bull Confirm Sergio Perez’s Departure, Announcing a….read more
Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Sergio Perez will be replaced for the 2025 Formula 1 season after four years with the team. This marks the end of a period of mixed results for the Mexican driver, with some successes overshadowed by a decline in performance during the 2024 season.
The 2024 season has been one of contrasts for the Milton Keynes-based team. On the positive side, Max Verstappen continued his dominant run in Formula 1, clinching his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship. Verstappen’s dominance throughout the year cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats. However, despite Verstappen’s success, Red Bull faced significant struggles in the Constructors’ Championship, where they finished a disappointing third, trailing the 2024 champions, McLaren, by a sizable 77 points.
A major factor behind this downfall was the underperformance of Perez, who had a difficult season. Despite being a crucial part of Red Bull’s 2023 championship win, Perez’s 2024 campaign proved challenging. His results deteriorated significantly after the Chinese Grand Prix in April, failing to secure a podium finish since then. Moreover, Perez didn’t manage to finish inside the top five after the Miami Grand Prix in May. By the end of the season, Perez was 285 points behind Verstappen, who clinched the championship with ease. His inability to consistently deliver strong results throughout the season became a major concern for Red Bull.
Despite Red Bull having renewed Perez’s contract just six months ago, the team has made the decision to part ways with the Mexican driver for the 2025 season. In a statement released following Perez’s own announcement of the news on social media, Red Bull confirmed the move. The statement began with a message of gratitude to the driver: “Gracias por todo Checo,” meaning “Thank you for everything Checo.” Red Bull went on to say, “After four successful seasons together, Sergio Perez and Oracle Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025.”
The decision to replace Perez comes as Red Bull seeks to maintain their competitive edge in Formula 1. While Verstappen’s dominance has kept the team at the forefront, the lack of consistent performances from Perez has highlighted the need for a second driver who can deliver more points and help the team secure the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull will be looking for a new pairing that can complement Verstappen’s success and help the team rebuild in the coming seasons.
With Perez’s departure confirmed, attention now turns to potential replacements. Red Bull has identified VCARB drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda as the leading candidates for the seat. Both drivers have shown promising potential in their respective careers, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed that they are both on the shortlist for the 2025 season.
Liam Lawson, a New Zealand driver, has impressed in his sporadic F1 appearances with AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s sister team. Lawson’s performances in testing and substitute roles have put him in the frame for a promotion to the main Red Bull team. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, a Japanese driver currently racing for AlphaTauri, has also shown flashes of potential but has been inconsistent in his performances. Tsunoda’s drive to improve and his experience with the Red Bull family may give him an advantage when it comes to securing the seat.
In the event that either Lawson or Tsunoda is promoted to the Red Bull team, it could open the door for Formula 2 star Isack Hadjar to make his F1 debut with AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s junior team. Hadjar, who has impressed in F2 with strong results and consistent performances, could be the next in line to join the Red Bull family and further strengthen their driver development program.
Red Bull’s decision to replace Perez is a clear signal that the team is focused on building a more competitive lineup for the future. As they look to regain their position as the dominant force in Formula 1, the choice of a new driver to partner Verstappen will be crucial. Red Bull will no doubt be hoping that whoever replaces Perez will be able to deliver more consistent results and help the team challenge for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in the years to come.
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