Sergio Perez Reveals Red Bull's Regret Over His Departure

In a candid interview, Sergio Perez, former driver for Red Bull Racing, expressed his belief that the team regrets parting ways with him at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season. This revelation comes as Red Bull has faced challenges in finding a suitable replacement, now on its second driver following Perez's departure. Perez's comments were made during an appearance on the Spanish-language podcast "Desde el Paddock," hosted by Memo Rojas, a three-time winner of the Daytona 24 Hours.

The Mexican driver was replaced by junior driver Liam Lawson, who was subsequently swapped out for Yuki Tsunoda after an underwhelming start to the 2025 season. Perez pointed out that his performance in the latter half of 2024, which yielded 45 points over 16 races, far exceeded Tsunoda's meager seven points from eight races.

"I know, deep down, they regret it," Perez stated, citing a reliable source within the team. He emphasized that the immense pressure from the team, which they had helped create, played a significant role in the decisions made regarding his contract.

Historically, Perez's tenure with Red Bull was marked by both triumph and struggle. He is noted for being the only teammate of reigning champion Max Verstappen to secure a race victory since Daniel Ricciardo in 2018. However, his performance dipped significantly in 2024 as the team's car became less competitive. According to Perez, the turning point came when chief designer Adrian Newey left the team, leading to what he described as a slow deterioration in performance.

Perez's remarks highlight a critical issue within Red Bull's management structure, specifically their failure to provide adequate support during challenging periods. He noted that after signing a two-year extension, the media's focus on his future created a pressure cooker environment that affected his performance and the team's dynamics.

Reflecting on his time with Red Bull, Perez expressed mixed feelings, appreciating the moments of success while acknowledging the difficulties he faced. "I ended up staying for six years; it was incredible," he said, humorously adding, "Well, I charged them for six!"

Looking to the future, Perez is eager to return to Formula 1, having parted ways with his longtime manager, Julien Jakobi, and is currently in talks with two teams, including the newly established Cadillac entry. As the 2025 season progresses, he remains optimistic about securing a seat for the following year, stating, "Things are going well, but I think it’s still early in the season."

The implications of Perez's departure from Red Bull extend beyond individual careers, reflecting broader themes of team dynamics, driver management, and the competitive pressures inherent in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. As the sport continues to evolve, the lessons learned from Perez's experience may serve as a template for future driver-team relationships.