Sergio Perez's chapter in Red Bull seems to be heading towards a bitter and inevitable conclusion. Despite the contract extended until 2026, signed just in June, the rumors of his early farewell are becoming more and more insistent. Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, admitted that the goal of the early renewal - to give serenity to the Mexican driver - has not had the desired effect. On the contrary, Perez's performances have dropped drastically, turning 2024 into a disappointing season for both the driver and the team.
A renewal that didn't work
“When we decided to renew the contract – he explained Horner – Sergio was getting great results. He had four podiums in the first five races, and the aim was to continue this form for the rest of the season. But it didn’t work out. Sometimes life is like that.”
Despite the difficulties, Horner highlighted Perez's contribution over the past four years: "He's been a great team player and a very popular person in the garage. He's played a key role in our successes, including the constructors' championship and the five wins he achieved with Red Bull." However, the team principal acknowledged that the #11's season had not been up to standard, leading the team to face a future uncertain.
The options on the table
Red Bull will hold a shareholders meeting on Monday after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to discuss the future of its driver lineup. Two main options are being considered: either terminate Perez's contract with a severance package, or offer him a role as a brand ambassador, keeping him in the Red Bull family but without a seat on the grid.
A more complex, but less likely, option would be to move Perez to the satellite Racing Bulls team for 2025, allowing him to finish his contract without putting too much strain on the budget. However, the driver's main sponsors, such as Telmex and AT&T, do not seem to be in favor of a solution that reduces the Mexican's visibility.
A relationship in the balance
Red Bull’s disappointment is not only in the numbers – Perez has collected just 58 points in the last 18 races – but also in the loss of bonuses linked to the constructors’ championship. The team, in fact, had to give way to McLaren and Ferrari, a result that weighed on the team’s coffers and on general morale.
Horner and Helmut Marko's statements left little room for doubt. "Perez is old enough and wise enough to understand what the situation is. No one is forcing him one way or the other, but it is clear that it is not a pleasant situation for him," Horner said, suggesting that a decision is now near.
An announced farewell?
While Perez is confident he can keep his seat, Red Bull’s moves, such as the Pirelli test with Yuki Tsunoda and the growing attention on Liam Lawson, already seem to indicate a change is imminent. The Abu Dhabi race could be Perez’s last alongside Max Verstappen, closing a four-year chapter of highs – such as second place in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship – and lows, such as the current season.
