Sergio Perez has announced that he will not be driving for Red Bull in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, paving the way for a promotion for either Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda.
The six-time Grand Prix winner finished a massive 285 points behind teammate Max Verstappen in the 2024 Driver’s Championship, with his poor form ultimately costing Red Bull the Manufacturer’s title, where they finished third, behind eventual winners McLaren and runners-up Ferrari.
His departure brings an end to a four year stint with the team, where he took 29 podiums, including five wins, and finished as runner-up in the 2024 World Championship. He also qualified on pole three times.
In that same period, Verstappen has finished on the podium 70 times, including winning 44 times, and qualified on pole on 37 occasions.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle 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 successes we achieved 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 the 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 has 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 to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember…Never give up.”
Team principal Christian Horner added: “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 1-2 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.”
All other seats on the grid have been filled for 2025, which leaves the grid without Perez for the first time since 2011, when he debuted for Sauber.
Lawson is the favourite for the promotion, but Tsunoda made a strong case with an impressive performance at the end-of-season test. Should one of them be promoted, it paves the way for Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls.
An announcement on who will replace Red Bull is expected in the coming days.
