The Formula 1 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 8, 2024, is shaping up to be more than just a race—it marks the end of Sergio Perez’s time at Red Bull Racing. Recent reports suggest that the team has decided to part ways with the Mexican driver ahead of the 2025 season, signaling a significant shift in their lineup.
While Max Verstappen has once again dominated the season, securing his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, Red Bull’s season has not been without disappointment, largely due to Perez’s underwhelming performance. This decision may come with a hefty price tag for Red Bull, both financially and strategically.
Sergio Perez’s 2024 campaign has been marred by inconsistency, with the driver failing to secure points in six races and finishing eighth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, a stark contrast to Verstappen’s runaway success.
Podium Finishes: Perez managed only four podiums this year and did not win a single race.
Points Gap: Over 200 points separate Perez from Verstappen, one of the largest disparities in Red Bull’s history. To find a comparable gap, one would have to look back to 1994, when Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, trailed Michael Schumacher by 82 points—though the season and scoring systems were much shorter and simpler at the time.
Such a disparity has left Red Bull with little choice but to reevaluate their driver lineup for the future.
Ending Perez’s contract prematurely is not a decision Red Bull would take lightly. F1 drivers are typically under lucrative contracts, and terminating them early often involves hefty compensation packages. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, experts estimate that severing ties with a high-profile driver like Perez could cost Red Bull millions, especially considering the duration and terms of his existing contract.
Additionally, Red Bull must factor in the cost of finding and onboarding a replacement capable of supporting Verstappen while contributing significantly to the Constructors’ Championship.
Despite Verstappen’s continued dominance, Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship campaign has been less than ideal this year. Perez’s performance—or lack thereof—has been a key factor. For a team like Red Bull, which prides itself on excellence, such gaps in driver performance are unacceptable.
The decision to part ways with Perez comes amid broader shifts in the F1 landscape, including Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, signaling a summer of significant changes across teams.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will serve as Perez’s swan song at Red Bull, but it also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the team. While the financial cost of sacking Perez is significant, Red Bull’s focus will undoubtedly remain on finding a driver who can consistently perform at a level closer to Verstappen.
As the dust settles on this season, the spotlight will shift to Red Bull’s next move. Who will fill the void left by Perez, and how will the team recalibrate to maintain their dominance in the sport?
With 2025 just around the corner, all eyes will be on Red Bull as they aim to bounce back stronger and more balanced than ever.
For now, the question lingers: Was the cost of letting Perez go worth the potential gain? Only time will tell.