Red Bull reveals Perez’s new role in Formula 1

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed that Sergio Perez will not be leaving the Milton Keynes-based team entirely.

The Red Bull boss has confirmed that Perez will make some exhibition runs next year despite losing his place in the team to Liam Lawson.

It was announced on Wednesday that Perez and Red Bull had agreed to part ways after four seasons together, opening the door for Lawson to become Max Verstappen’s new teammate.

Perez endured a disappointing 2024 F1 season which saw the Mexican driver score just 49 points in the final 18 races.

He had signed a new one-plus-one-year contract in June that will keep him with the team for next season, with the option to move on in 2026.

However, due to his form playing a big role in Red Bull losing the constructors’ title, the team’s senior figures and Perez agreed a change was needed.

While Perez will not compete for the Austrian team next year, Horner has stressed that the 34-year-old has not been sacked.

“No, it’s a little different,” Horner said Talksport.

“Sergio has been with us for four years and in the first three years he played a big role in the team and certainly in the first Drivers’ World Championship.

“You just have to think back to Abu Dhabi 2021, the role he played for the team that day; Constructors’ Champions 2022/23; he was second in the drivers’ championship last year.

“He’s had a really tough year this year and we sat down last week – obviously we’d talked about it a bit beforehand – and decided it was right for both of us to just take a step back, for him to step back out of the car , take some time with his family and think about what he wants to do.

Not a complete farewell

While Perez will step out of the car, it won’t be the last time he’s worn his Red Bull F1 racing suits.

Horner has confirmed that the six-time race winner will do some exhibition runs for the team next year, although it will not be a complete farewell.

“He will continue to be involved in the team,” revealed Horner. “He’ll be doing a few show runs with us next year.”

“But it was right for him – because he didn’t enjoy being exposed to all this scrutiny, pressure and expectations every weekend.”

As mentioned, Perez had signed a new contract in June; However, it is due to the clauses in this deal that have allowed Red Bull to change the key driver.

“He had signed a new contract, but of course there are clauses in these contracts,” Horner noted.

“I won’t go into the details of the contract, but inevitably there are provisions, there are obligations between the team and the drivers.

“We sat down and discussed everything. It’s about relationships and we’ve always had a great relationship with Sergio.”