Sergio Pérez leaves Red Bull; Liam Lawson set to take over

Sergio Pérez and Crimson Bull have agreed to half methods, bringing an finish to the Mexican driver’s stint with the Components 1 crew.

RB driver Liam Lawson is predicted to be introduced as Pérez’s alternative within the coming days.

Pérez, whose poor kind had value Crimson Bull this 12 months’s constructors’ championship, had been negotiating subsequent steps of his contract because the begin of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.

Whereas the provide of an ambassadorial function was on the desk, Pérez has opted to stroll away from his Crimson Bull contract altogether.

“I am extremely grateful for the previous 4 years with Oracle Crimson Bull Racing and for the chance to race with such a tremendous crew,” Pérez stated.

“Driving for Crimson Bull has been an unforgettable expertise and I am going to at all times cherish the successes we achieved collectively. We broke information, reached outstanding milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of assembly so many unbelievable folks alongside the best way.

“It has additionally been an honour to race alongside Max [Verstappen] as a teammate all these years and to share in our success.”

Pérez had signed a two-year contract extension in June of this 12 months however his spiral in kind prompted Crimson Bull to hunt different choices.

Doing so will permit him to pursue racing alternatives elsewhere in 2025, though there aren’t any obtainable seats left in Components 1.

His subsequent steps are unclear.

Components 1 has an settlement in precept with Common Motors so as to add a Cadillac crew to the grid in 2026.

Given Pérez’s big recognition within the North American market, he might be a number one candidate for a chance there.

“I want to thank Checo [Perez] for all he has performed for Oracle Crimson Bull Racing over the previous 4 seasons,” crew boss Christian Horner added. “From the second he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be a rare crew participant, serving to us to 2 constructors’ titles and to our first one-two end within the drivers’ championship.

“His 5 wins, all on avenue circuits, had been additionally a spectacular mark of his willpower to at all times push to the restrict.

“Whereas Checo won’t race for the crew subsequent season, he’ll at all times be a particularly widespread crew member and a treasured a part of our historical past. Thanks, Checo.”