Red Bull has admitted Sergio Perez‘s low points return in the 2024 Formula 1 season was “very expensive” for the team amid its decision to drop him for next season.
Perez’s time with Red Bull has been cut short as the squad has announced the anticipated news that he won’t retain his seat, with Liam Lawson tipped to replace him.
The Mexican had been expected to lose his place based on a tumultuous 2024 campaign which saw him end up a comprehensive 285 points behind Max Verstappen.
Despite Verstappen claiming the Drivers’ title with a 63-point lead in hand, Perez’s woes meant that Red Bull dropped to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Perez’s results plummeted despite being handed a reprieve over the summer break as he amassed 21 points in the last 10 races, leaving him in an untenable position.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has revealed the team exhausted every avenue to help Perez rediscover his previous level but to no avail, prompting a change for 2025.
“He’s been a great team player,” Horner told Autosport prior to the announcement.
“He’s contributed a lot to the team in his time so far. He remains under contract to the team.
“Nobody is more disappointed with his season this year than Checo. And obviously following the season, we’ll take the time to reflect on that.
“We’ve done everything that we can to try and help him during the season.
“All kinds of [things] – chassis changes, set-up, working with him in many different areas. But this season shouldn’t be treated in isolation.
“Over the period of time that he’s been with the team he’s finished second in the World Championship last year, he’s won five grands prix for us,
he’s contributed to the 2021 championship [for Verstappen] and obviously contributed to two Constructors’ Championships.
“Nobody will be more disappointed in his campaign this year than himself. Of course, Checo, with his experience – there’s always feedback that’s beneficial to the team.
“He’s struggled to adapt to the car and the lack of points from the car has been very expensive for us.”
Red Bull explains Perez extension
Horner has explained that Red Bull’s choice to give Perez a contract renewal in June was intended to settle the team when rumours began to grow as his form dipped.
“Checo was performing, he was delivering,” he added. “There was a juncture in his contract that triggered the discussion.
“The contract’s always going to be private and confidential between the driver and the team.
“But the reason we chose to exercise it at that time was to have stability after he’d been on the podium in four out of five races in the early part of the year.”
Verstappen situation not related to Perez deal
Horner has denied that extending Perez was to ensure that Red Bull had one driver tied down in case Verstappen elected to leave amid the team’s downturn in results.
“No, [it was] because obviously there was a lot of noise and it looked like there was going to be a championship fight [with McLaren],” he retorted.
“And you don’t want the distraction of the driver merry-go-round.”
READ MORE – Sergio Perez and Red Bull part ways with immediate effect
Discussion about this post