Sergio Perez has introduced he’s leaving Crimson Bull with speedy impact following a disappointing 2024 season.
The 34-year-old was handed a two-year contract extension in early June, however his kind was already beginning to decline at that time after a robust begin to the season throughout which he scored 4 podiums – together with three runner-up leads to Crimson Bull one-twos – within the opening 5 rounds.
After ending fourth in Miami, Perez scored simply 49 factors within the remaining 18 race weekends to slide from second to eighth within the drivers’ championship. Though Crimson Bull’s competitiveness additionally dipped, Max Verstappen scored 301 factors and picked up 5 race wins throughout the identical span.
Perez ended the 12 months 285 factors behind teammate Verstappen, and the disparity between the 2 was one of many causes Crimson Bull completed third within the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.
It has now been confirmed that an settlement has been reached for Perez to go away the crew instantly. RACER understands that Liam Lawson can be his alternative in 2025.
“I’m extremely grateful for the previous 4 years with Oracle Crimson Bull Racing and for the chance to race with such an incredible crew,” Perez mentioned. “Driving for Crimson Bull has been an unforgettable expertise and I’ll all the time cherish the successes we achieved collectively.
“We broke data, reached exceptional milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of assembly so many unbelievable individuals alongside the way in which. An enormous thanks to each particular person within the crew from the administration, engineers and mechanics, catering, hospitality, kitchen, advertising and communications, in addition to everybody at Milton Keynes, I want you all the perfect for the longer term.
“It has additionally been an honor to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success. A particular thanks to the followers all over the world, and particularly to the Mexican followers on your unwavering help each day. We’ll meet once more quickly. And keep in mind… By no means quit.”
With Lawson anticipated to be Perez’s alternative, RB is prone to promote Crimson Bull junior Isack Hadjar right into a race seat following his second-place end within the System 2 championship this season.
Because it stands Perez is not going to race in 2025, however he turns into one in all plenty of skilled drivers available on the market forward of Cadillac’s deliberate F1 entry in 2026. Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu additionally dropped off the grid this 12 months.
This story has been up to date to incorporate quotes from Perez.
