Red Bull reveal new Perez F1 role
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed that Sergio Perez will not entirely leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
The Red Bull boss has confirmed that Perez will perform some show runs next year, despite losing his seat with the team to Liam Lawson.
It was announced on Wednesday that Perez and Red Bull had agreed to part ways after four seasons together, opening the door for Lawson to be promoted as Max Verstappen’s new team-mate.
Perez endured a disappointing 2024 F1 season, which resulted in the Mexican driver scoring just 49 points across the final 18 races.
He had signed a new one-plus-one year deal in June, keeping him with the team for next season with an option to continue in 2026.
However, due to his form which played a large role in Red Bull losing the constructors’ title, the team’s senior figures and Perez agreed change was required.
Whilst Perez will not race for the Austrian outfit next year, Horner has stressed that the 34-year-old has not been sacked.
“No, it’s a little different to that,” Horner told Talksport.
“Sergio has been with us for four years and, for the first three years, he played a huge role in the team and certainly that first Drivers’ World Championship.
“You’ve only got to think back to Abu Dhabi 2021, the role that he played for the team on that day; Constructors’ Champions in 2022/23; he was second in the Drivers’ Championship last year.
“He’s just had a really tough year this year and we sat down last week – we’d obviously been talking about it a little bit beforehand – and decided that it was right for both of us, just to step back, for him to step out of the car, take a bit of time with his family, work out what he what he wants to do.”
Not a complete farewell
Whilst Perez will step out of the car, he has not worn his Red Bull F1 race suits for the final time.
Horner has confirmed that the six-time race winner will perform some show runs for the team next year, with it not being a complete farewell.
“He’s still going to be involved with the team,” revealed Horner. “He will be doing a couple of show runs with us during next year.
“But it was right for him – because it wasn’t enjoyable for him either, getting all this scrutiny and pressure and expectation every weekend.”
As mentioned, Perez had signed a new contract in June; however, it is due to clauses in that deal which has allowed Red Bull to make the key driver change.
“He had signed a new contract, but of course in those contracts [there are clauses],” noted Horner.
“I’m not going to go into the details of the contract, but inevitably there are stipulations, there are obligations between the team and the drivers.
“We sat down and we talked it through. It’s about relationships and we’ve always had a great relationship with Sergio.”
