System 1 driver Sergio Pérez is formally leaving Crimson Bull Racing after 4 years, with the Mexican driver saying collectively with the staff on Wednesday that they’ve reached an settlement to half methods earlier than his contract ends.
The choice opens up a coveted seat to turn out to be reigning four-time world champion Max Verstappen’s teammate.
In an announcement that goals to convey an amicable parting, the 35-year-old Pérez thanked the staff and wished them “all the most effective for the long run.”
“I’m extremely grateful for the previous 4 years with Oracle Crimson Bull Racing and for the chance to race with such a tremendous Group. Driving for Crimson Bull has been an unforgettable expertise and I’ll at all times cherish the successes we achieved collectively,” he mentioned. “A particular thanks to the followers around the globe, and particularly to the Mexican followers to your unwavering assist on daily basis. We’ll meet once more quickly. And keep in mind… By no means hand over.”
Pérez’s exit comes after a poor season through which he did not muster any victories for the primary time in his 4 years with Crimson Bull. He struggled to get on prime of the evolving automobile and completed a lowly eighth within the championship, whereas teammate Verstappen completed first. Rumors of an early exit — regardless of having a contract for subsequent yr — have circulated for months.
Pérez does not have a racing seat for subsequent season, and the transfer may very well be the tip of his System 1 profession, which started in 2011.
Crimson Bull staff boss Christian Horner thanked “Checo” — his nickname — “for all he has performed for Oracle Crimson Bull Racing over the previous 4 seasons” and highlighted the staff’s first “first 1-2 end within the Drivers’ championship” final yr.
“His 5 wins, all on road circuits, have been additionally a spectacular mark of his willpower to at all times push to the restrict. Whereas Checo won’t race for the Group subsequent season, he’ll at all times be an especially standard Group member and a treasured a part of our historical past,” Horner mentioned.
Pérez’s highlights with the staff embody an exciting wheel-to-wheel battle in 2021 with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton within the ultimate race of the season, which Verstappen later mentioned helped him win that yr’s world championship; in addition to victories in circuits on the streets of Monaco, Baku and Saudi Arabia.
Crimson Bull didn’t reveal who will substitute him, saying solely: “Additional bulletins relating to the Group’s full 2025 line-up shall be made sooner or later.”
Horner just lately indicated that the 2 candidates to exchange Pérez could be Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, who at present drive for the Crimson Bull junior staff, known as RB, which is thought for auditioning drivers for the senior staff.
Lawson advised NBC Information final month he’d embrace the chance to drive for Crimson Bull alongside Verstappen.
“I don’t know if that’s potential or not, however clearly that’s my purpose — to be in System 1 full time, and clearly I’m right here to attempt to win a world championship as nicely, and the most effective place to try this is at Crimson Bull,” Lawson mentioned whereas including that there was “no timeframe” for such a call.
He mentioned his purpose was merely “attempting to safe a seat subsequent yr, wherever that could be, after which sooner or later, clearly, the purpose is to go to Crimson Bull.”
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