Sergio Perez has been cut from the Formula 1 grid and will not appear in a race during 2025 for the first time since 2010 after losing his Red Bull drive.
The 35-year-old struggled throughout the year and cost his team a better position in the Constructors’ Championship with his poor form.
Helmut Marko says Perez no longer fits at Red Bull after it was announced that he would be replaced by Liam Lawson.
It means that reigning champion Max Verstappen will have a new teammate for the first time in four years as he chases a fifth consecutive triumph.
Yuki Tsunoda was snubbed for what is recognised as one of the hardest jobs in the sport after beating the man who was awarded the role 6-0 in qualifying at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
Tom Coronel couldn’t understand why Red Bull kept Perez for so long as he went 19 races without a podium to end the season. They had multiple opportunities to sack him, including during the summer break.
James Hinchcliffe ‘can’t imagine’ Sergio Perez in a Red Bull reserve driver role
With no seats left on the grid for 2025, the most Perez could have done is become a reserve driver for another team.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner confirmed that the Mexican is staying on to complete some show runs as part of an ambassadorial role.
READ MORE: Red Bull ‘refused’ to let Yuki Tsunoda leave in 2025 despite receiving three offers from rival teams
It doesn’t look like there are any plans for him to have any influence on the race team. It’s something which James Hinchcliffe has mentioned he would be surprised by.
“I can’t imagine he’s going to be doing like sim work or going to a reserve driver role. I don’t really see him filling that situation,” he said.
“I could kind of see it [ambassador role] keeping him involved in some capacity seems like a good way to try and keep some of the sponsorship that he comes with. Maybe that’s part of the appeal of keeping him in the family.”
Why 2025 could be Red Bull’s toughest year in F1 since 2019
Red Bull ended the season with the third-fastest car behind both McLaren and Ferrari at best who finished ahead of them in the Constructors’ standings.
Verstappen was left to perform a minor miracle to secure his fourth consecutive title, including a spectacular win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The likes of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris showed better pace in the closing stages of the season but there may be a caveat to that.
READ MORE: Helmut Marko now explains what Yuki Tsunoda ‘lacks’ that prompted Red Bull to promote Liam Lawson
If the Milton Keynes-based outfit decided to focus on 2025 early then any deficit that they had may be made up for before the Australian Grand Prix.
It could make them more of a danger than anticipated and apply extra pressure on the likes of Lewis Hamilton, who is starting a new venture with Ferrari.
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