Martin Brundle has told a Formula 1 driver to walk away from their contract after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as it must be ‘painful’ to turn up to the circuit amid their plight.
The 2024 Formula 1 campaign draws to a close this week at the record-breaking 24th round of the term. But for many drivers, it is also the end of an era with Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari in 2025, Carlos Sainz switching to Williams and Nico Hulkenberg returning to Sauber.
Yet Brundle believes it should also be the time that one driver bids goodbye to their team as they are living in ‘purgatory’ continually struggling to deliver. He has all the respect for them but the end is here much like it was for Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB earlier this year.
Martin Brundle will be ‘relieved’ if Sergio Perez leaves Red Bull after the Abu Dhabi GP
Brundle has pleaded with Sergio Perez to make the Abu Dhabi GP his final race with Red Bull as the renowned pundit will be ‘relieved when it’s over’. The Mexican has endured a year to forget this season, with Perez even costing Red Bull the defence of the F1 constructors’ title.
Perez is guaranteed to finish the year just eighth in the drivers’ standings, despite teammate Max Verstappen winning a fourth successive title. The 34-year-old has a meagre 152 points to his name ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, compared to the 429 that Verstappen has recorded.
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| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
640 |
| 2 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
619 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
581 |
| 4 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
446 |
| 5 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
92 |
| 6 |
Alpine F1 Team |
59 |
So, no matter the highs that Perez has achieved in Formula 1 with six Grand Prix wins, three pole positions and 39 podium finishes, Brundle wants the Abu Dhabi GP to be his last dance with Red Bull. But Perez is demanding £16m for Red Bull to terminate his contract for 2025.
Brundle said on Sky Sports F1 (07/12, 13:28): “I feel the same way about Sergio as I did about Daniel Ricciardo, actually. I have the utmost respect for the person and the driver and the victories he’s had and some of the great overtakes.
“All the things we’ve seen Sergio do, sometimes in sub-par cars as well he’s won races without the fastest car. Total respect. But I’ll be slightly relieved when it’s over.
“It must be purgatory for him at the moment. He’s lost his mojo, he’s lost his way and all the pressure that’s been heaped on that, to turn up to the track every day must be painful.”
Sergio Perez will want his big payoff with no seats left on the 2025 F1 grid
Brundle may get his wish as speculation ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP suggests that Perez has decided to leave Red Bull. He no longer has a will to continue at the team as the Guadalajara native’s plight persists. But leaving Red Bull will likely leave Perez without a seat on the grid.
Every spot on next season’s grid is filled except for the second Visa Cash App RB seat, which Liam Lawson currently holds and will become vacant if the Kiwi replaces Perez. So, Perez will still likely want his big payoff from Red Bull to depart, no matter the pain Brundle is sensing.
He will also look to go out on a high during the Abu Dhabi GP as Red Bull will discuss Perez’s future after the race. It follows a run of failing to finish higher than P6 since taking P4 in the Miami GP back in round six. He has also failed to score points in four of the last seven races.
