Horner on Pérez exit: Red Bull tried ‘everything' to help
Christian Horner has declared that Red Bull Racing exhausted all efforts to support Sergio Pérez’s Formula 1 career with the team. The announcement comes in the wake of the official confirmation on Wednesday that Pérez and Red Bull have agreed to part ways, concluding their partnership which began in 2021.
Negotiations for Pérez’s exit began towards the end of the season, with Horner, the team principal, admitting the split was inescapable. "It's been a culmination of things," Horner told. "Checo [Pérez] started the season so strongly, four podiums out of five races. It felt like he'd taken off where he left off last year."
However, according to Horner, the dynamic shifted after the Monaco Grand Prix. "But then really from Monte Carlo, that race onwards, it has been a very tough year for him and we've tried everything with him and supporting him and basically he has come to his own conclusion that I think that now is the right time to step away from Formula 1 to take a bit of time out."
Liam Lawson is anticipated to be named Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 season in the coming days.
As for Pérez, his future endeavors remain uncertain, but his disassociation from the Red Bull programme might open global racing opportunities.
"I think the thing for Checo is to take a bit of time out, spend it with his family," Horner said. "He has been on the treadmill for a long time now and [he has to] work out whether he wants to keep going in Formula 1 or maybe look at other categories, maybe sports cars or something along those lines."
Reflecting on Pérez’s tenure and future prospects, Horner emphasized the importance of a hiatus. "But I think foremost and utmost, he needs to take some time out and see how much he misses driving a Grand Prix car, and then only he can decide what he wants for the future."
As the Formula 1 community awaits Pérez's next move, it is clear that a chapter has closed, with all eyes now turning to what lies ahead for the talented Mexican driver.
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