It had been an open secret for the past few weeks, but now it is finally official—Sergio Perez will not race for Red Bull in 2025 as the team decided to part ways with him immediately.

The decision brings an end to a difficult campaign for the Mexican driver, whose season started with promise but quickly unraveled after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in May. Over the next 17 races, he managed to score just 48 points, a big contrast to Verstappen’s performances.

While Verstappen’s results kept Red Bull competitive, the team fell short in the constructors’ championship, finishing third. Perez’s inconsistency played a significant role in that outcome, despite him signing a two-year contract extension earlier in the year.

After weeks of speculation, Red Bull’s senior management met last week to finalize the decision with both sides agreeing it was the right time to part ways, despite originally signing a two-year extension to Perez's contract in June.

A team statement read: "After four successful seasons together, and following the conclusion of the longest F1 season in history, Sergio Perez and Red Bull Racing have reached an agreement to part ways for 2025. 

“Checo joined Red Bull Racing for the 2021 season and across four seasons and 90 race starts with the team, the Mexican racer enjoyed the most successful spell of his 13 years in F1. 

“As well as scoring five wins, including victory at the Monaco Grand Prix and a pair of Azerbaijan Grand Prix wins that earned him a reputation as ‘F1’s King of the Streets’, Checo helped the team to two Constructors’ Championship titles, in 2022 and 2023. 

“As a title runner-up in his own regard last year, he also sealed the team’s first one-two finish in the Drivers’ standings.”

Perez might still stay connected to Red Bull, with reports suggesting he has been offered a role as a driver ambassador. Similar to David Coulthard’s post-racing career, this would allow Perez to remain involved in Formula 1 without the pressures of competition.

However, his future as an active driver remains uncertain. With all teams already locking in their lineups for 2025, his chances of staying on the grid are basically on zero.

Attention now shifts to who will take Perez’s place at Red Bull. The team has a strong talent pool, with Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson being the hottest candidates for the seat.