Christian Horner’s comments in Abu Dhabi around a performance review for Perez following the grand prix, and Helmut Marko’s this week regarding an imminent announcement of their 2025 line up, added fuel to the existing fire around Perez’s future.
But his future with the squad had been in doubt long before Abu Dhabi given an underwhelming season. Perez scored just 5.41% of the team’s total points and dropped to eighth in the driver’s championship – his lowest finishing position since joining the team for 2021. Red Bull also failed to defend their constructors’ title, dropping to P3 by the end of the year. Despite rumours all season of a change in driver lineup coming, it seems the reported meeting between Red Bull’s chiefs and their shareholders following the grand prix sealed his fate.
In a statement issued on social media, Perez said: “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 continued, “Together we broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way.
“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.
“It’s also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success.
“A special thank you to the fans around the world and especially the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember…never give up.”
The statement makes no mention of Perez’s plans for the future, however with no seats remaining on the grid for 2025 it’s highly unlikely that these could include a Formula 1 drive. It’s reported that Red Bull may have offered him an ambassadorial role in concluding his driver contract, however it seems that may also have been ruled out.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, said, “I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons.
“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 one-two finish in the drivers’ championship.
“His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit. 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.”
Red Bull are yet to announce who will drive alongside Max Verstappen next season, saying an announcement will be made “in due course”. Speculation suggests that Liam Lawson is the favourite for a promotion from their sister team, Visa Cash App RB, with Yuki Tsunoda expected to remain in his current seat.
