Formulation 1 driver Sergio Pérez is formally leaving Purple Bull Racing after 4 years, with the Mexican driver saying collectively with the workforce on Wednesday that they’ve reached an settlement to half methods earlier than his contract ends.
The choice opens up a coveted seat to change into reigning four-time world champion Max Verstappen’s teammate.
In a press release that goals to convey an amicable parting, the 35-year-old Pérez thanked the workforce and wished them “all the perfect for the long run.”
“I’m extremely grateful for the previous 4 years with Oracle Purple Bull Racing and for the chance to race with such an incredible Crew. Driving for Purple Bull has been an unforgettable expertise and I’ll at all times cherish the successes we achieved collectively,” he mentioned. “A particular thanks to the followers world wide, and particularly to the Mexican followers to your unwavering assist on daily basis. We’ll meet once more quickly. And keep in mind… By no means surrender.”
Pérez’s exit comes after a poor season during which he did not muster any victories for the primary time in his 4 years with Purple Bull. He struggled to get on high of the evolving automotive and completed a lowly eighth within the championship, whereas teammate Verstappen completed first. Rumors of an early exit — regardless of having a contract for subsequent yr — have circulated for months.
Pérez would not have a racing seat for subsequent season, and the transfer might be the top of his Formulation 1 profession, which started in 2011.
Purple Bull workforce boss Christian Horner thanked “Checo” — his nickname — “for all he has finished for Oracle Purple Bull Racing over the previous 4 seasons” and highlighted the workforce’s first “first 1-2 end within the Drivers’ championship” final yr.
“His 5 wins, all on avenue circuits, have been additionally a spectacular mark of his willpower to at all times push to the restrict. Whereas Checo is not going to race for the Crew subsequent season, he’ll at all times be a particularly in style Crew member and a treasured a part of our historical past,” Horner mentioned.
Pérez’s highlights with the workforce embody an exhilarating wheel-to-wheel battle in 2021 with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton within the last race of the season, which Verstappen later mentioned helped him win that yr’s world championship; in addition to victories in circuits on the streets of Monaco, Baku and Saudi Arabia.
Purple Bull didn’t reveal who will change him, saying solely: “Additional bulletins concerning the Crew’s full 2025 line-up will probably be made sooner or later.”
Horner just lately indicated that the 2 candidates to switch Pérez can be Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, who at present drive for the Purple Bull junior workforce, referred to as RB, which is thought for auditioning drivers for the senior workforce.
Lawson informed NBC Information final month he’d embrace the chance to drive for Purple Bull alongside Verstappen.
“I don’t know if that’s attainable or not, however clearly that’s my objective — to be in Formulation 1 full time, and clearly I’m right here to attempt to win a world championship as properly, and the perfect place to try this is at Purple Bull,” Lawson mentioned whereas including that there was “no timeframe” for such a choice.
He mentioned his objective was merely “attempting to safe a seat subsequent yr, wherever which may be, after which sooner or later, clearly, the objective is to go to Purple Bull.”
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