Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that it cost several million to sever the deal it had with Sergio Perez to drive with the team in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Perez won’t be on the grid this season amid the news last month that Red Bull had opted to drop him, promoting Liam Lawson in his place to partner Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s decision to cut ties with Perez came amid a torrid campaign which saw him log 21 points in the final 10 rounds to trail a vast 285 points behind Verstappen.
Despite his then team-mate securing the Drivers’ title with two rounds remaining, Perez’s woes consigned Red Bull to coming third in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Mexican’s struggles made his departure inevitable, although Red Bull’s choice to renew his contract through 2026 back in June meant it cost the team to axe him.
Asked if Perez’s exit package proved expensive, Marko told Sport.de: “Taking into account the contract, it is an agreement that is acceptable to both parties.
When the interviewer pressed Marko to answer whether the amount totalled “several millions”, the Austrian responded: “We are talking about Formula 1 here, yes…”
Perez hoped he could rediscover past form
Perez had reiterated until the last weekend in Abu Dhabi that he would remain, with Marko divulging that the driver thought he could turn around his perilous situation.
Questioned on whether the decision to split was something that Perez had expected, Marko answered: “Not at first, because he has always hoped to find his old form again.
“After all, he has won five grands prix with us and was once vice-champion [in 2023].”
However, Perez was unable to recapture the level that saw him register four podiums in the opening five races, delivering a point-less return in the final two weekends.
“He did not find that form again and then it was judged that in this environment that resurgence is not going to come either and that a farewell was best,” Marko explained.
“That also immediately opens up plenty of possibilities for the future.”
Perez eyeing 2026 comeback?
Regarding Perez’s prospects of making a comeback to F1, Marko has suggested that a return to coincide with the new technical rules in 2026 represents his best bet.
“I think he still hopes for Formula 1, although of course all the seats for next year have been given away,” he added.
“But if he sits on the sidelines for one year, then of course, as an experienced driver, there can always be new opportunities for him.”
READ MORE – Red Bull: Sergio Perez’s F1 woes proved ‘very expensive’ in 2024
