Red Bull announces that Sergio Perez has decided to leave the team.

As expected, following recent comments by Christian Horner, the Mexican has seemingly taken the initiative and quit the team rather than be fired as a result of his poor form this season.

"After four successful seasons together, and following the conclusion of the longest season in history, Sergio Perez and Oracle Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025," reads the official release, which has clearly been worked on by lawyers and PR people representing both sides... after all, he isn't being fired and clearly isn't retiring.

Checo joined Red Bull for the 2021 season and across four seasons and 90 race starts with the team, the Mexican enjoyed the most successful spell of his 13 years in Formula One. As well as scoring five wins, including victory at the Monaco Grand Prix and a pair of Azerbaijan Grand Prix wins that earned him a reputation as 'F1's King of the Streets', he helped the team to two constructors' titles, in 2022 and 2023. As a title runner-up in his own regard last year, he also sealed the team's first one-two finish in the drivers' standings.

"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," the Mexican is quoted as saying. "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."

"I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons," added Christian Horner. "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."

The team ends the release by insisting that "further announcements regarding the team's full 2025 line-up will be made in due course", even though Liam Lawson will settle down to his Christmas dinner fully aware that he is Max Verstappen's new teammate.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by FIRSTINTO 1, 19/12/2024 20:44

"Finally!"

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 19/12/2024 19:16

"Perez lost the Constructors for RBR. Simple as that."

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3. Posted by Apexing, 19/12/2024 15:49

"At least Red Bull gave him the option of falling on his sword gracefully instead of being publicly executed by Helmut. We'll see how Lawson does - they need a driver capable of picking up a solid haul of points every weekend, and Sergio just wasn't it. I was surprised they kept him this summer, tbh. "

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4. Posted by Carsten B, 19/12/2024 13:16

"A safe pair of hand, really? Are you joking, one estimate of cost caused by each driver in the 2024 campaign Perez tops the list

Position. Driver. Cost
1. Sergio Perez £3,810,000
2. Alex Albon. £3,660,000
3. George Russell. £2,610,000
4. Logan Sargent. £2,360,000
5. Carlos Sainz Jr. £2,260,000
...

Source: Givemesport.com"

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5. Posted by Max Noble, 19/12/2024 2:23

"The flash cards with the dollars figures on it finally got to a number the Perez camp liked. The public display of respect and thanks is a welcome change from the turbo-charged mud-slinging we’ve seen this season. Whatever can DTS do with such a polite round of statements! :-)
I’d like to see “Perez to Cadillac” confirmation early in the New Year. He’s a well known safe pair of hands who will not be bending carbon every race…
"

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6. Posted by Superbird70, 19/12/2024 1:47

"Shouldn't that be, "Red Bulls leaves Perez"...hung out to dry?"

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7. Posted by kenji, 19/12/2024 1:13

"Perez vacates. Wow...fancy that! Who woulda' thought? F1 is just so full of surprises....."

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8. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 19/12/2024 0:35

"Well, at the very least, he can take comfort in being the most successful Mexican driver in Formula 1."

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9. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 18/12/2024 23:41

"On Aussie radio it was reported that "Kiwi Liam Lawson is likely to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season as Sergio Perez has had is contract torn up."

I suspect this description may be closer to the truth than the carefully crafted press release."

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10. Posted by ffracer, 18/12/2024 19:15

"Totally agree, believe that Yuki Tsunoda drove well and against all his teammates these last few years to get promoted to the senior team. He has tackled the very tricky language barrier and won over the media with the obvious... he nailed it in the post season test and it would be great news for Honda, Japan and F1to have a Japanese driver in a top Honda powered entry again.

Here's to hoping..."

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11. Posted by BillH, 18/12/2024 18:27

"As much as I’d like Lawson to be in Red Bull, perhaps a different approach could be Tsunoda to Red Bull until Alonso or Stroll Jnr leave Aston, and then Lawson with another season under his belt, goes to Red Bull.
Red Bull may just be thinking this as Tsunoda has improved a lot over the past season. "

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12. Posted by Batman, 18/12/2024 18:22

"Very suitable image to illustrate the subject!"

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13. Posted by Burton, 18/12/2024 18:20

"Surprised one of the owners didn't tell him to stay put as marketing takes priority..."

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