F1 Driver Sergio Perez to Exit Red Bull Team After Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Who Will Replace Him in 2025? (Report)
Sergio Perez‘s Formula 1 future at Oracle Red Bull Racing seems to have been revealed.
The 34-year-old Mexican driver has had a rough season this year, and he’s been rumored to be departing the team many times throughout the past several months.
However, in June, it was announced he signed a two year extension with the team, but his future has been questioned even more since due to lack of performance on the track.
Keep reading to find out more…
Now, sources tell ESPN that the six-time race winning driver, is leaving the team following the upcoming 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. This, of course, has not (yet) been officially announced by the team or Sergio himself.
While Sergio would be out of a race seat, he could still remain in the company but move to a more ambassador-type role, where he would do show runs and make appearances on behalf of the team across the world.
Following last weekend’s race in Qatar, where Sergio didn’t finish the race due to a mechanical issue with the car, team boss Christian Horner hinted at a departure, but said the driver’s future was up to him.
“He’s a great guy and he’s not enjoying the situation he’s in at the moment. He knows the pressures of this business and we are going to give him all the support we can to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi next weekend and what he decides to do, that will be his decision at the end of the day,” Christian said, via Formula1.com. “I think he’s old enough and wise enough to come to his own conclusions but there is still a race to go so let’s get to the end of Abu Dhabi and see where we are at.”
With Sergio out, that leaves an empty seat on the Red Bull team, and their junior team Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team (VCARB), also has a vacant spot for 2025.
So, who could replace Sergio and who will join VCARB?
ESPN reports that current VCARB driver Liam Lawson is the favorite to join Max Verstappen on the main team, with Yuki Tsunoda staying on the junior team.
Williams’ Franco Colapinto was said to be a strong contender to join one of the teams, but that now seems unlikely following his performances in Brazil and Vegas.
Now, the teams’ reserve driver and Formula 2 star Isack Hadjar is said to be taking up the second seat at VCARB alongside Yuki.
Stay tuned as more details around the two teams are released!