What Sergio Perez’s inclusion on 2025 Formula 1 entry list means for Red Bull chances

Red Bull are weighing up their options for the 2025 season as they debate whether to sack Sergio Perez.

The Mexican has been under immense pressure to keep his F1 career alive in 2024. The 34-year-old suffered his worst season with Red Bull as he finished eighth in the drivers’ standings.

While the RB20 proved difficult to drive from the halfway point of the season, Perez had been struggling long before then. He did not finish on the podium after the Chinese Grand Prix, nor did he finish higher than fifth after the Miami Grand Prix.

The Mexican’s struggles were made very apparent when he only finished above 10th once in the last eight races. Perez’s retirement in Abu Dhabi could be the final straw as Red Bull now debate whether to sack him ahead of 2025.

RB drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are being considered for a promotion to the main team, with the latter getting his first outing with Red Bull in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Red Bull did not hold a media session that day as they feared their drivers would be questioned over the meeting the team’s hierarchy had the day before about Perez’s future.

Perez could take on an ambassador role at Red Bull, which is the same role Daniel Ricciardo was offered after he was dismissed earlier in the year, but rejected said offer.

Sergio Perez included in the 2025 F1 entry list

Juan Pablo Montoya says Perez cost Red Bull £23m in 2024, presumably in damages and by losing the Constructors’ Championship, adding more fuel to the fire that the team will replace him come 2025.

But Perez has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025, with the option of a further year and there has been no official confirmation yet as to whether the Mexican will be sacked – although it is very likely.

Journalist David Moxon posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Perez has been included on the entry list for the 2025 F1 season with Red Bull, due to having a deal with the team for next season.

Moxon also stated that he ‘understood’ there to be no ‘final decision’ for Red Bull to ‘communicate yet as to whether Perez will be replaced’ for next season.

What does this mean for Red Bull’s chances in 2025?

If Perez is to stay at Red Bull, he would have to produce an unbelievable turnaround in form to stay on board for the full season, let alone for 2026.

While the Mexican struggled badly to perform, teammate Max Verstappen claimed nine wins across the season and secured his fourth consecutive championship despite not having the fastest car.

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The entry list at present means nothing, as Red Bull are yet to decide on Perez’s future and if he will be replaced by one of the RB drivers.

Even McLaren CEO Zak Brown seems to think Perez will be replaced as fans, pundits and teams await Red Bull’s final decision.

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner are in disagreement about Tsunoda joining Red Bull, with the latter not keen on the Japanese driver being promoted. Both are impressed by Lawson, with the Kiwi driver likely to be the one in the second Red Bull if Perez is shown the door,