F1
Red Bull push Checo Pérez towards the exit door
Cristian Horner has ‘invited’ Pérez to leave the team, while ESPN reports that the Mexican will be out of Red Bull after Abu Dhabi.
Sergio Pérez’s future seems to be sealed. After a poor season, Red Bull has reportedly decided to fire Checo in 2025, according to ESPN. Between the lines, we can read that the decision has practically been made - judging by Cristian Horner’s last words, who ‘invites’ Sergio to step aside.
Last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix left Pérez in a very bad position once again. A childish mistake left him out of the race when it seemed he could finish in the top five.
The move is a reflection of what has been his season where he has been falling apart since May. Now, facing the last race of the year, rumours are rife about Pérez’s departure from Red Bull.
Today, ESPN journalist Nate Saunders reported that Pérez is already out of Red Bull. “Red Bull has decided to dispense with Perez after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,” says the journalist, who points out that Liam Lawson is the main candidate to fill Perez’s seat while Isack Hadjar, a driver from the RB academy, is said to be joining RB to be Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate.
‘Checo’ has had a terrible year. Since May he has not been on the podium and has not managed to finish in the top 5 after the Miami race. In addition to that, the worst news for the Mexican is that Red Bull lost the constructors' world championship, the main reason why he was hired in 2021.
How could Checo’s departure from Red Bull happen?
Checo is under contract until 2026 so his departure must be negotiated. ESPN points out that Pérez “cannot be fired directly” so he would be offered a role as an ambassador for the company and it will depend on whether he accepts or rejects the offer.
Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Cristian Horner has taken a dig at Checo. “I think he is big enough and wise enough to come to his own conclusions, but you know, there is still one race left and we are going to get to the end of Abu Dhabi and then see where we are,” he told Sky Sports F1.
‘Checo’s’ options to continue in Formula 1
Of course, Horner hasn’t forgotten how valuable Pérez has been to Red Bull in the past. “Checo has been a wonderful driver for us certainly in ’21, ’22, ’23, he contributed to Max’s championship obviously in 2021, constructors’ championships in ’22, ’23 and above all, he’s a great guy,” he admitted.
“He’s not enjoying the situation he’s in at the moment. He knows the pressures of this business, and we’re going to give him all the support we can all the way to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi next weekend. And whatever he decides to do, it’s his decision at the end of the day,” he said.
If Checo leaves Red Bull, he will also be out of Formula 1 at least until after 2025. All seats are already occupied for the new season. Therefore, he will have to wait a year to try to return to the series. Cadillac, a team that will enter F1 in 2026, could be a viable option for the Mexican.