Why Red Bull called Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen to their factory before expected driver change

Red Bull could be set for a turbulent winter break ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season after a challenging 2024 campaign.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit looked to continue their dominance from 2023 after Max Verstappen won seven of the first 10 races, while Sergio Perez collected four podiums from the opening five events.

But Red Bull suffered a major dip in performance with the RB20 as Verstappen went on a 10-race winless run after winning in Barcelona, while Perez had been struggling long before then as he did not finish on the podium again after the Chinese Grand Prix.

While Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, Red Bull were unable to defend their constructors’ championship as they finished third behind McLaren and Ferrari – with Perez’s woeful form being a key reason why the team dropped off compared to their rivals.

Juan Pablo Montoya says Perez cost Red Bull £23m in 2024, presumably through damages in accidents and by losing the Constructors’ Championship.

The Mexican has been under immense pressure to keep his seat with the team in 2025, with Red Bull now looking likely to cut ties with the 34-year-old. Perez could take on an ambassador role with the team, which was a role Daniel Ricciardo rejected after he was axed by Red Bull earlier in the year.

Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen called to Red Bull factory for their end-of-season photo

Red Bull’s hierarchy are believed to have had a meeting on Monday to discuss the future of Perez and possible replacements. The next day, Yuki Tsunoda took part in the Abu Dhabi post-season test with Red Bull, finishing as the slowest of their drivers behind Ayumu Iwasa, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull did not hold a media session on Tuesday due to fears that their drivers would be asked questions about their futures. The team have kept their decision under wraps since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but an announcement of Perez’s exit is expected soon.

In a report by ESPN Deportes, Perez and Verstappen were called to the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes – but it was not for discussions over the future.

The two drivers posed for the team’s post-season photograph to congratulate Verstappen’s title win. Red Bull’s employees surrounded the RB20 for a picture, with a sign in front of the car reading ‘4 time World Champion Max.’

Sergio Perez was included in the 2025 entry list amid speculation surrounding his future

As Red Bull debate what to do for their second seat next season, Sergio Perez’s name was included on the 2025 entry list – because the Mexican has a contract with Red Bull until the end of that year, with the option for a further year.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit are still deliberating over the future of Perez, but it is widely anticipated that the 34-year-old will be taken out of the car in favour of one of the RB drivers.

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Tsunoda has been with the Faenza squad for four years and is waiting for his chance to move to the main team. However, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner disagree about Tsunoda receiving a promotion, with the latter seemingly unconvinced by the Japanese driver.

Lawson is the favourite to replace Perez after impressing at RB as Ricciardo’s replacement in 2024. The Kiwi driver scored four points in his six races this season, beating Perez in four of them.