Update:Perez makes BLOCKBUSTER announcement following Red Bull’s…read more
Perez makes BLOCKBUSTER announcement following Red Bull’s…read more
Sergio Perez has made a notable announcement on social media following his departure from Red Bull after a challenging 2024 Formula 1 season. The Mexican driver revealed a new collaboration, promoting the release of Mufasa, a Disney film that premiered in cinemas on December 20, just in time for the holiday season. Perez, who was recently replaced by Liam Lawson at Red Bull, has had a tough year on the track, with performance issues affecting his results.
Perez’s struggles during the 2024 season were evident, as he failed to score a podium finish after the Chinese Grand Prix in April and finished eighth in the drivers’ standings, a massive 285 points behind teammate Max Verstappen. While Perez had been part of Red Bull’s dominant lineup alongside Verstappen during the latter’s four consecutive World Championship wins, he only managed to secure five race victories during his time with the team.
The announcement of Perez’s exit from Red Bull marks the end of his tenure with the team, and his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. While he has not been linked to any immediate opportunities on the grid for the 2025 season, it’s widely expected that Perez will take a sabbatical. With no available spots at other teams for next year, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, suggested that Perez could have a role as a brand ambassador for Red Bull in the future. However, given Perez’s recent struggles, it is unlikely that any other teams would offer him a seat for now.
Perez’s departure from Red Bull also raises questions about his future in the sport. Although the F1 grid will see two new seats open in 2026 with the introduction of Cadillac into the sport, Perez may face stiff competition for those spots. In the meantime, Horner also commented that Perez moving to Red Bull’s sister team, VCARB, would not be ideal at this stage in his career. VCARB, focused on developing young talent, may not be the right environment for Perez, who, at 34, is at a different point in his racing journey.
Despite his struggles on the track, Perez has continued to leverage his marketability off it. On Instagram, he posted a photo of himself wearing a Mufasa-themed T-shirt to promote the release of the Disney film. Mufasa, a prequel to the beloved 1994 animated classic The Lion King, is expected to perform well at the box office, with projections indicating an opening weekend of over $50 million. Perez’s endorsement of the film, which is available in his native Spanish, underscores his influence beyond the racetrack.
While his immediate racing future in Formula 1 remains unclear, Perez’s marketing power remains strong. His ability to engage with fans and promote high-profile products, such as the release of Mufasa, shows that he continues to be a significant presence in the world of sports and entertainment. As he adjusts to life beyond Formula 1 for now, Perez’s future in the sport may become clearer as the 2026 season approaches, but for the time being, he remains a prominent figure in both the racing world and the broader entertainment industry.