‘No Plan B’ For Sergio Perez After Losing F1 Seat

F1 Grand Prix Of Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 08: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix Of Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 08: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Sergio Perez has “no plan B” after losing his Formula 1 race seat at Red Bull, his father reveals.

The Mexican driver announced in a statement that he has “reached an agreement” with the team. Shortly afterwards, Red Bull Racing followed suit with its own statement.

“Sergio Perez and Oracle Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025,” the team declared.

Later, team boss Christian Horner explained: “He’s decided that he’s going to take some time off – essentially a sabbatical from Formula 1.”

He added that a demotion to the energy drink brand’s second team, Racing Bulls, wasn’t an option. “He will remain involved with the brand and the team, but will be stepping back from driving duties,” said Horner.

“It’s time for him to be with his young family and reflect on what he wants to do in the future.”

Horner said the 34-year-old might look beyond F1, to “sports cars or something like that”.

“But I think first of all he has to take some time to see how much he misses driving a racing car.”

Perez’s father, Antonio Perez Garibay, told Fox Sports Mexico: “It’s a complete exit for Checo.

“There is no plan B, no plan C. Today, at this moment, the page in Formula 1 is closing for us. However, when he was fired from Racing Point, there was no plan B either. At that time, F1 was over for us too,” he said.

“Right now, he has nothing ahead of him. We have to accept that. Let him enjoy his family,” Perez Sr added.

A Red Bull spokesperson said Perez’s replacement will be announced “in due course”. Horner added: “2025 will probably be the most competitive season in years, so what’s most important to us is having two drivers who perform as closely as possible.

“It will basically come down to a choice between Yuki (Tsunoda) and Liam (Lawson), both of whom have good track records. We have all the information, we’re looking at all of it, we’re talking to our engineering team, and we’ll make a decision in the next few days.”

From F1 news to tech, history to opinions, F1 Chronicle has a free Substack. To deliver the stories you want straight to your inbox, click here.

New to Formula 1? Check out our Glossary of F1 Terms, and our Beginners Guide to Formula 1 to fast-track your F1 knowledge.

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

Group Picture D43403b9 8c73 4848 Be53 B376389482a7

Ferrari Gifts Carlos Sainz His Race-Winning 2022 F1 Car

Carlos Sainz may be leaving the team, but he will ...
2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Friday Lat Images

Lewis Hamilton To Test Old Car Before 2025 Ferrari Launch

Dec.19 (GMM) Ferrari isn't setting a precise date for Lewis ...
Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen Denies Considering Aston Martin Move

Max Verstappen has denied he has ever considered a move ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Abu Dhabi

Sergio Perez And Red Bull Part Ways For 2025

After four successful seasons together, and following the conclusion of ...
F1 Grand Prix Of United States

Verstappen Defends Perez Amid Raging Speculation

Sergio Perez's career-endangering struggle with the 2024 Red Bull car ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle