Red Bull have axed Sergio Perez ahead of the 2025 F1 season, ending the Mexican’s four-year stay with the team.
Perez struggled to keep pace not only with world title-winning teammate Max Verstappen but also rivals from McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari, finishing eighth in the drivers’ standings. It also meant Red Bull finished third in the constructors’ championship and ceded their crown to McLaren.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull,” Perez said. “We broke records and reached remarkable milestones.”
While Perez’s future is now in doubt, with no seat currently available on the grid next season, New Zealander Liam Lawson is set for a promotion from sister team RB to drive alongside Verstappen for Red Bull.
Follow all the latest reaction and F1 developments in the live blog below.
F1 news
- Sergio Perez dropped by Red Bull Racing ahead of the 2025 season
- Perez ‘incredibly grateful’ as team principal Christian Horner hails ‘team player’
- ANALYSIS: Sergio Perez’s dreadful form cost Red Bull 2024 F1 title – the Mexican had to go
- RB’s Liam Lawson in pole position to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull
After the finale of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, it is now only 94 days until we do it all again in 2025.
Next year has the potential to be an all-time great Formula 1 season. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is the main attraction, but there are also at least four new drivers on the grid next year – rookies Ollie Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Yet after Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title and McLaren claimed the constructors’ crown, both championships look wide open for next year.
F1 2024 Season award: Rising star
20:40 , Chris WilsonOllie Bearman
A debut of dreams for the British teenager in Saudi Arabia, filling in seamlessly for Carlos Sainz to score points on his F1 debut for Ferrari.
From that moment on, his 2025 seat at Haas was virtually secured. He took his chance. It did not matter that he finished a lowly 12th in the F2 standings.
Podium places: Gabriel Bortoleto; Franco Colapinto
F1 2024 Season award: Race of the year
20:20 , Chris WilsonBrazilian Grand Prix
A championship-deciding, drama-inducing weekend in Sao Paulo.
Heavy rain meant we had qualifying on Sunday morning and, such is the grid that formed, it looked set to result in a massive points swing in Norris’s favour. There were also five crashes in helter-skelter qualifying minutes.
But the race proved to be a masterclass in wet-weather driving from Verstappen. While others slipped and slid across the racetrack and into the walls, the Dutchman was the epitome of perfection.
Podium places: British Grand Prix; Austrian Grand Prix
F1 2024 Season award: Moment of the year
20:00 , Chris WilsonLando Norris winning the Miami GP
This was a tough call. But Norris had been waiting for his first F1 victory for so long that, when it came, the jubilation was palpable.
It was also the first indication of McLaren’s rapid race-pace, setting up a thriller of a 2024 season.
Podium places: Lewis Hamilton wins British GP, Max Verstappen wins Brazil GP
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
19:40 , Chris WilsonThat’s a wrap. After a record-breaking 24 races, the 2024 F1 season concluded on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with Lando Norris guiding McLaren to constructors’ glory.
What a topsy-turvy, constantly evolving season it has been. From Red Bull’s dominance on the track and turmoil in the paddock at the start of the season to multiple winners and riveting racing, there has been drama at every turn.
For the first time since 2021, too, we had a genuine title race, and while Max Verstappen ultimately claimed his fourth successive world championship, Norris pushed him to the final three races.
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
Who is Liam Lawson? The driver tipped to take over from Sergio Perez
19:20 , Chris WilsonAs reported earlier, The Independent understands Liam Lawson will be the man to take Perez’s seat with the main Red Bull team in 2025 ahead of Yuki Tsunoda.
But who is the young New Zealand driver?
The 22-year-old joined the Red Bull junior team in 2019, and became the reserve driver for Red Bull in 2022. He later made his F1 debut in a reserve role at the 2023 Dutch GP, for AlphaTauri.
After Daniel Ricciardo was dropped after this year’s Singapore GP, Lawson took his place in the rebranded RB team, finishing as high as ninth in Sao Paulo and Austin.
Red Bull adviser drops hint over 2025 F1 seat
19:00 , Chris WilsonYuki Tsunoda appears to have improved his chances of grabbing a Red Bull seat in the 2025 Formula One season.
The Japanese driver has shone in the post-race Abu Dhabi test, with speculation surrounding Sergio Perez’s future and a decision forthcoming from Christian Horner.
Max Verstappen has described the criticism of Perez as “harsh”, with Tsunoda under consideration to replace ‘Checo’. Yet one of the reasons to look for an alternative to Tsunoda was largely dismissed in Abu Dhabi, with adviser Helmut Marko promising news in the next week.
“On the question of what the driver pairing will look like next year, we will have news in the next days,” Marko said in his Speedweek.com column.
F1 2024 final standings as McLaren beat Ferrari to constructors title
18:40 , Chris WilsonLando Norris secured a dominant victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win McLaren their first constructors’ championship since 1998.
The 25-year-old’s fourth win of the season meant McLaren held off the charge of Ferrari as team-mate Oscar Piastri finished only 10th after an eventful race for the Australian at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third to push McLaren all the way but Norris’ win was enough to secure the title.
F1 2024 final standings as McLaren beat Ferrari to constructors title
Horner coy on Red Bull line-up
18:30 , Chris WilsonWhen asked about the potential replacements for Perez, Horner had this to say: “Now, we have all of the information we need, it’ll be a choice between Yuki [Tsunoda] and Liam [Lawson] and both have got strong credentials.
“We tested Yuki recently in Abu Dhabi, had a chance to work with the engineer team, while Liam has tested a lot with us and driven well. [We’re\ considering all of that. We’ll conclude in the coming days.
“The most important thing for us, to make sure we have two drivers performing as closely as possible.
“We’ll have a Hamilton and Leclerc line-up [at Ferrari], Norris and Piastri [at McLaren], we’ve seen what that’s capable of, George Russell with another newcomer in Kimi Antonelli [at Mercedes] – it’ll be very tight next year. What is the best line-up we can field?”
More from Horner
18:25 , Chris WilsonOn the decision to extend Perez’s contract over the summer, Horner said: “At the time he’d had four podiums in five races, it was a logical extension to remove speculation, of which there was already too much around the team,” explained the team principal.
“Every contract has performance clauses and criteria, it didn’t make any difference to this decision for Sergio to step away and take a sabbatical.”
On the constructor’s championship, he added: “In hindsight, McLaren did a great job. But at the end of the day, we won more races, we had more poles, we won four sprint races, more than any other team, and we won the drivers’ championship with two races to go.
“Unfortunately we had a 280-point deficit between our drivers, of course that became quite expensive in terms of the constructors’ championship.”
Horner: “Checo has been a fantastic member of this team"
18:17 , Chris WilsonHorner spoke to Sky Sports regarding Perez’s future, saying: “Checo has been a fantastic member of this team, it’s been a tough year for him, but he’s a great person and played a key role in 2021 drivers’ championship.
“We sat down and discussed it last week. He’s decided to take a bit of time out, take a sabbatical from Formula 1 essentially. He’ll still be involved with the brand and the team. But he’s stepping back from driving duties moving forward.
“We’re sad to see him leave the team. It’s time for him to spend time with his family and reflect on what he wants to do for the future.”
Sergio Perez’s next move after Red Bull exit revealed by Christian Horner
18:10 , Chris WilsonChristian Horner has revealed what Sergio Perez’s next move will be after Red Bull confirmed his exit following a disastrous 2024 F1 season.
The Mexican endured a torrid run of results this year as he finished eighth in the drivers’ standings – a mammoth 285 points behind teammate and champion Max Verstappen.
The 34-year-old’s sub-par performances ultimately cost Red Bull the constructors’ title as McLaren pipped Ferrari to the crown in the final race of the season, thanks to Lando Norris’s win in Abu Dhabi.
And Red Bull boss Horner has now explained what Perez will do ahead of the 2025 campaign, with no other seat lined up.
Sergio Perez’s next move after Red Bull exit revealed by Christian Horner
Sergio Perez’s dreadful form cost Red Bull 2024 F1 title – the Mexican had to go
18:00 , Chris WilsonThe beginning of the end for Sergio Perez at Red Bull was further back than you think, after the Mexican finally confirmed a predictable outcome on Wednesday following a disastrous season. For it was not the embarrassing Q1 exit in Hungary in July, after a crash in practice the day before. Nor was it the expensive first-lap crash on the streets of Monacoin the spring. Instead, it was May 2023, and a time when events were altogether rosier for the now dispirited Mexican.
Heading into last year’s Miami Grand Prix, Perez was being tilted as a genuine title contender. Or rather, given Red Bull’s car dominance, Max Verstappen’s only title contender. Both drivers had split wins in the first four races and on his favoured street track configuration, Perez took pole in Florida. Verstappen started in ninth.
Perez’s dreadful form cost Red Bull 2024 F1 title – he had to go
More from Horner
17:51 , Chris Wilson"While Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular team member and a treasured part of our history.
“Thank you, Checo,” added Horner at the end of his statement.
Horner: Perez “a treasured part of our history"
17:46 , Chris WilsonRed Bull team principal Christian Horner also gave a statement, in which he thanked Perez and praised his contribution over the years.
“I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons," Horner said.
“From the moment he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two constructors' titles and to our first 1-2 finish in the drivers' championship,” he added.
Perez: “We’ll meet again soon"
17:41 , Chris WilsonIn the final part of his statement, Perez gave "a special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day.
“We'll meet again soon. And remember... never give up!"
Perez’s future in F1 remains in doubt, with no seat currently available on the grid next season.
More from Perez
17:37 , Chris Wilson"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 for the future.
He also extended a thank you to teammate Max Verstappen, adding: “It's also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success.”
Perez statement
17:31 , Chris WilsonPerez has released a statement regarding the news, in which he thanks Red Bull and reflects on his time there.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team,” he said.
“Driving for Red Bull 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 exit was inevitable result of poor season
17:22 , Lawrence OstlereFor Perez, it was a matter of when rather than if Red Bull would let him go.
He joined the team in 2021, but this season came under increasing pressure as the Formula One campaign wore on – finishing a whopping 285 points behind his team-mate Max Verstappen as Red Bull surrendered their constructors’ championship title to McLaren.
Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive drivers’ world title while Perez, 34, finished eighth in the standings, failing to finish in the top five in his final 18 races for the team.
Liam Lawson is expected to replace Perez at Red Bull
17:16 , Lawrence OstlereLiam Lawson set to be promoted from RB to become Max Verstappen’s teammate.
Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo at RB in September, has impressed since filling in for the Australian and The Independent understands Lawson will be the man to take Perez’s seat with the main Red Bull team in 2025 ahead of Yuki Tsunoda.
Confirmed: Sergio Perez leaves Red Bull
17:12 , Lawrence OstlereThe worst-kept secret in Formula One has today been confirmed: Sergio Perez is leaving Red Bull and will not be part of the team next season.
Full story:
Sergio Perez confirms Red Bull exit after disastrous F1 season
Sergio Perez news LIVE
16:42 , Lawrence OstlereWelcome along to live reaction to the news that Sergio Perez has been axed by Red Bull ahead of the 2025 F1 season.
