Sergio Perez’s father just dropped five-word hint on his son’s chances of F1 return after Red Bull axe

Sergio Perez’s time in Formula 1 looks to have come to an end after his departure from Red Bull.

The Mexican faced incredible pressure to keep his seat at the Milton Keynes-based outfit after enduring a torrid 2024 season. Perez finished 285 points behind his teammate and champion Max Verstappen – who won nine races while the 34-year-old did not finish in the top five after the Miami Grand Prix.

Perez’s woeful form was too damaging to the team as he ultimately cost Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship. Despite Verstappen scoring 437 points, the team finished third in the standings behind McLaren and Ferrari.

Red Bull had been weighing up their options for months as they tried to work out what to do with their number two driver. In the end, his position was untenable as Perez confirmed his exit on Wednesday.

Visa Cash App RB driver Liam Lawson will replace him at Red Bull for the 2025 season. Team principal Christian Horner says Lawson demonstrated ‘the right’ mindset’ in a short time, ultimately giving him the seat over his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

Antonio Perez says ‘the movie is not closed’ as he hints at a possible Sergio Perez return to F1

Perez’s departure from Red Bull has been a long time coming as he has not been able to compete alongside Verstappen in his four seasons with the team – much like the Dutchman’s teammates before him.

Lawson thinks Verstappen is the best in the world and a very confident driver with the car, which is the reason why the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Perez struggled against him.

Despite his difficulties with Red Bull, Perez has still had a great career in F1. Officially the most successful Mexican driver of all time, Perez has achieved six wins, three pole positions, 39 podiums and two constructors’ championships.

READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

But his father Antonio Perez has hinted that his son’s career is not over yet and that he could make a return to F1 if a ‘very good opportunity’ comes along.

He also stressed that Perez will put most of his energy in the meantime into his Checo Perez Foundation – which aims to strengthen the most vulnerable sectors in Mexico – and he will only be looking at F1 for the future and is sure he would not branch out into another category.

“I am sure he is going to do beautiful things through his foundation where he will unload all his energy but I am also telling you that the movie is not closed if a very good opportunity comes along for Formula 1. I am sure that Checo would take it but for any other category I am sure he would not,” he told Imagen Television Mexico.

Where could Sergio Perez move to if he returns to F1?

Red Bull have previously demoted some of their drivers back to their junior team RB, but Horner says that was not an option for Perez due to his experience. With the 2025 grid officially locked in, the Mexican will have to wait for 2026 to get his chance to return to F1.

The issue facing the 34-year-old is that many teams have their drivers tied down to long-term contracts, giving him limited options to choose from.

The most logical move for 2026 would be Cadillac, who are set to join the grid that season. The team are searching for an experienced head to go alongside an American driver – something that Perez fits perfectly.

It would also be a smart move commercially due to the huge following the Mexican has in North America. Given his success in F1, it would be hard for Cadillac to turn down a six-time race winner with substantial financial backing.