Christian Horner has spoken out to confirm what's next for Sergio Perez after he was sacked by Red Bull Racing
After four seasons with Red Bull, Perez announced that he had parted ways with the Formula One team in an official statement on Wednesday.
The Mexican driver had been under pressure throughout the 2024 season as teammate Max Verstappen continued to significantly outperform him as he went on to win four consecutive world titles.
And now that Perez is officially without a seat for 2025, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has spoken out to confirm what is next for the 34-year-old.
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After the news of Perez's departure was confirmed, the Red Bull boss spoke out to pay tribute to the driver and thank him for all that he gave to the team, while revealing the next step for the Mexican.
“Checo has been a fantastic member of this team, it’s been a tough year for him, but he’s a great person and played a key role in 2021 drivers’ championship,” Horner told Sky Sports.
“We sat down and discussed it last week. He’s decided to take a bit of time out, take a sabbatical from Formula 1 essentially. He’ll still be involved with the brand and the team. But he’s stepping back from driving duties moving forward.
“We’re sad to see him leave the team. It’s time for him to spend time with his family and reflect on what he wants to do for the future.”
During his four years with Red Bull, Perez won five Grand Prix across over 90 starts with the team and was a fantastic team player to Verstappen, helping him win his first championship in 2021.
But, in his own statement, Perez appeared to confirm Horner's comments, suggesting that he will be taking some time away from the sport to evaluate exactly what the next step in his Formula One career would be.
In his official statement on Instagram, the Mexican driver said: "On a personal note, it’s time to slow down for the first time in my life. But only for a few corners until we know what our next journey is.
"Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I'll always cherish the successes we achieved together."
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Formula 1
Ben McCrum