Sergio Perez has introduced his exit from the Crimson Bull System 1 crew after 4 seasons with the squad.
As extensively anticipated, the Mexican will vacate the seat alongside world champion Max Verstappen after a troublesome 2024 marketing campaign through which he struggled for efficiency and dropped to eighth within the drivers’ championship.
Pérez’s traditionally dangerous lack of kind had lengthy left his future unsure, regardless of him initially having signed a contract again in June that ran via till the tip of 2026.
However following negotiations because the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Perez and Crimson Bull have agreed to finish the deal and go their separate methods.
Perez added in a Crimson Bull press launch: “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.
“Driving for Crimson Bull has been an unforgettable expertise and I’ll all the time cherish the successes we achieved collectively. We broke information, reached exceptional milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of assembly so many unbelievable folks alongside the way in which.
“An enormous thanks to each individual within the crew from the administration, engineers and mechanics, catering, hospitality, kitchen, advertising and marketing and communications, in addition to everybody at Milton Keynes, I want you all one of the best for the longer term.
“It has additionally been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success.
“A particular thanks to the followers around the globe, and particularly to the Mexican followers in your unwavering assist every single day. We’ll meet once more quickly. And keep in mind…By no means hand over.”
Workforce principal Christian Horner added: “I want to thank Checo for all he has completed for Oracle Crimson Bull Racing over the previous 4 seasons.
Christian Horner, Workforce Principal, Crimson Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
“From the second he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be a unprecedented crew participant, serving to us to 2 constructors’ titles and to our first 1-2 end within the drivers’ championship. His 5 wins, all on road circuits, have been additionally a spectacular mark of his dedication to all the time push to the restrict.
“Whereas Checo won’t race for the crew subsequent season, he’ll all the time be an especially in style crew member and a treasured a part of our historical past. Thanks, Checo.”
Whereas there had been consideration of Perez retaining ties to Crimson Bull via some type of ambassadorial position, it’s understood that this was finally dominated out.
Perez joined Crimson Bull in 2021 and positioned fourth, third and second throughout his first three years with the crew, serving to it win two constructors’ titles.
However as rivals caught up with the Milton Keynes-based squad in 2024, his enduring difficulties to gel with the RB20 proved expensive because the crew slumped to 3rd within the constructors’ championship.
Regardless of season-long hypothesis about his future, Perez was all the time adamant that he would see out his two-year contract for 2025 and 2026, however on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he first hinted that talks over his future may but spell an earlier departure.
Crimson Bull has not but made any announcement about who will substitute Perez, however his exit opens the door for it to advertise one in all its junior drivers from its sister Racing Bulls crew.
Liam Lawson, RB F1 Workforce, Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
New Zealander Liam Lawson is favorite to get the nod over the extra skilled Yuki Tsunoda for the high-pressure seat alongside Verstappen.
Lawson’s promotion would release a slot at RB for Crimson Bull junior and F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar.
With no different seats accessible for 2025, Perez is about for a spell on the sidelines after 14 consecutive seasons within the collection since his 2011 debut with Sauber.
Perez took a maiden grand prix win with Racing Level on the one-off 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, and added one other 5 wins and three poles to his resume with Crimson Bull. His most up-to-date win got here final 12 months in Baku, one in all his 39 podiums in F1.
Extra reporting by Jonathan Noble
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Filip Cleeren
System 1
Sergio Perez
Crimson Bull Racing
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