Red Bull Racing has ended its relationship with Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez after four seasons in which he was instrumental in Max Verstappen’s titles and constructors’ championships. Despite these achievements, the 2024 season was a difficult one for the Mexican driver, who finished eighth in the championship with no wins or pole positions, and a limited contribution that coincided with the team’s relegation to third in the constructors’ standings. Faced with this situation, Red Bull made the difficult decision to break his contract and take a gamble on young New Zealander Liam Lawson. Lawson, who impressed in replacing Daniel Ricciardo in several races, will take over in 2025 as Verstappen’s team-mate, cementing the team’s strategy of promoting emerging talent from its junior programme.
Liam Lawson, Red Bull's bet for the future
After months of speculation, Red Bull has decided to put its faith in 22-year-old Liam Lawson to partner Max Verstappen in 2025. Lawson, a standout product of the Red Bull academy, has already proved his worth by filling in for Daniel Ricciardo at several races during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Although his opportunities were limited, the New Zealander made a lasting impression with his maturity behind the wheel, excelling in competitions such as the Brazilian and United States Grand Prix, where he scored important points.
Team principal Christian Horner expressed his confidence in Lawson: ‘He has shown not only talent, but also the ability to be among the best. Competing alongside a champion like Max Verstappen will be a big challenge, but we are confident that he is up to it‘. For his part, Lawson described this promotion as a dream come true and thanked Red Bull for trusting him. ‘I will work hard to live up to the expectations and learn as much as I can from Max, an exceptional driver,’ he said.
Checo Pérez's legacy and his uncertain future
Sergio Pérez leaves a legacy of memorable moments at Red Bull, arriving in 2021 to bolster the team and playing a key role in Verstappen’s first championship win, as well as contributing to the team’s dominance in 2022. However, his subsequent seasons were less successful, and in 2024 his performance fell well short of expectations. The Mexican scored a total of five wins, three pole positions and 29 podiums for the team, but his drop in performance this year was a key factor in Red Bull’s decision.
Although his future in Formula 1 is uncertain, Perez has expressed his desire to continue racing. Lower level teams or even categories such as IndyCar or the WEC could be options for the Mexican driver. In an emotional letter, Checo thanked Red Bull for the opportunity and his fans for their unconditional support. ‘I will always remember what we achieved together and I will continue to fight for any chance I get,’ he wrote. Now, the driver market is in flux, with several seats still to be confirmed for 2025, which could open a door for Perez to continue in top-level motorsport.
