Pit Debrief and selected media attended INSPIRA, where former F1 driver Sergio Pérez spoke for the first time since the news broke that the Mexican won’t be at Red Bull Racing, starting this year. Liam Lawson of New Zealand took his spot.
Despite finishing second in the 2023 F1 World Drivers’ Championship, Pérez only managed to collect 152 points through 2024. It resulted in him finishing P8 in the final standings.
A new era
Sergio Pérez had been a mainstay on the F1 grid since 2011, driving for Sauber, McLaren, Force India/Racing Point and Red Bull Racing. However, he faces a very different 2025.
Turning 35 later this month, the Mexican driver has been racing for almost 30 years. He admits spending quality time with his family is something he is treasuring and enjoying.
“I’ve spent 14 years in Formula 1, and I’ve been racing since I was 6 years old,” 6-time F1 race winner Sergio Pérez said.
“It’s incredible. This is the first year, I’d say, that I can actually decide what to do. I can make plans and book a trip with my family and kids wherever I want.
“It’s something I’m really enjoying, and I’m excited about what’s ahead this year.
“Honestly, I feel very calm, very happy, and I’m enjoying time with my kids, my family and my friends so much.”
Pérez’s Red Bull journey
After achieving 29 podiums, securing 5 wins, and spending 4 seasons with the Milton Keynes-based team, Red Bull Racing F1 confirmed Liam Lawson’s appointment to replace Sergio Pérez starting next year.
As the event unfolded, Pérez was asked if Red Bull brought out the best in him.
“Without a doubt.
“Red Bull was a team where I was pushed to the limit. It’s undoubtedly the hardest place to be — being at Red Bull and being Max Verstappen’s teammate.”
Max Verstappen outscored the 34-year-old Mexican by 921.5 points since Pérez joined the team in 2021. In three of the four seasons, the gap was over 200 points.
“Great drivers have been at Red Bull, but you only survive if you’re mentally strong,” he continued.
The difficulties of driving at Red Bull against Max Verstappen
Early in 2024, things looked good for Pérez. He finished on the podium in four of the first five races, and backed it up with a P4 in Miami. A new two-year deal was announced ahead of the Canadian GP.
However, his season completely fell off after Miami. He scored just 49 points from there, plummeting to P8 in the Drivers’ Championship. Pérez had been running P2 in the early part of the season.
Although Max Verstappen won the title once again, he faced his own struggles. The RB20 got harder and harder to drive as the year went on.
The 34-year-old feels at peace as he gave his best at Red Bull, explaining how difficult it was to tame their cars.
“It was definitely the biggest challenge of my career [Red Bull] because you have a great car, a very fast car, but it’s crucial that it suits your driving style and that you can adapt to it.
“All F1 drivers adapt to the car, but when you have to make a bigger effort to adjust, that’s when disconnection and mistakes start to happen.
“That’s exactly what happened to me during the latter part of the season. I had to adapt to a style that didn’t suit me.
“Of course, I would have loved to have a team where I was the centerpiece, where everything revolved around me, where the car was made to my driving style, but that wasn’t the case.
“I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I did the best I could. That’s why I am at peace with what I achieved.”
More opportunities in Formula 1?
On the topic of his future after leaving his role as a Red Bull Racing driver, Sergio Pérez admitted the uncertainty he faces if he looks for a route back into Formula 1.
While he will not rule out a return, spending quality time with his family right now is very important to him and feels very happy to do so. A decision on his racing future should come in the middle of 2025.
He admitted his departure from Red Bull was unexpected from his side.
“I don’t know. It’s too early to give you an answer,” he said when asked about a return to the category.
“Everything happened very quickly at the end of the season, and I didn’t expect it.
“If you ask me now, I honestly don’t know. If a good, interesting project in F1 comes my way, I’ll consider it and think about it, but everything will come in its own time.
“Right now, my priority is to enjoy and spend time with my family. I think in the next six months I’ll decide what I want for the next step in my career.
“It’s hard to describe, but I feel different. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. I’m completely happy.
“And I’d say I’d return to Formula 1, but only if it’s what makes me happiest in the years to come,” he concluded.
