According to multiple sources, Red Bull has decided to move on from Pérez after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He will likely leave Red Bull at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Team boss Christian Horner hinted at Pérez’s impending exit after the Qatar Grand Prix. Discussions will take place between Pérez, Horner and Red Bull racing adviser Helmut Marko on Dec 9, the day after the Formula 1 season ends.
The contract extension Pérez signed earlier this year means he cannot be sacked. He may instead move into a wider ambassadorial role within Red Bull. Ricciardo was offered the same deal when dropped from RB team in September but walked anyway.
Ricciardo’s replacement, Liam Lawson, appears to be the favourite to step up from the junior team in Pérez’s place. However, the team’s driver situation has been difficult to forecast all year. Colapinto looked like a candidate to join the Red Bull stable a few weeks ago but his performances over the past three races and some crashes have raised doubts about his future with the team.
When Horner was asked about Colapinto after Qatar he was non-committal. It’s possible that Red Bull junior, Isack Hadjar, a strong performer in F2, will instead join RB as Yuki Tsunoda’s teammate. He has been testing for Red Bull in recent times and will do so again after the final GP.
Perez’ poor form since a sixth place in May this year is the primary reason RB has slipped to third in the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.
While Max Verstappen won the drivers’ championship, the RB team is 59 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ title fight.
Should Pérez also cut ties with Red Bull, there is a possible route back with Cadillac in 2026.
