Is Sergio Perez set to leave Red Bull? Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Veteran driver Sergio Perez is reportedly leaving Red Bull at the end of the Formula One season.
ESPN is reporting multiple sources confirmed Red Bull decided to move on from Perez after Monday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Perez, 34, sits in eighth place in the Formula One drivers standings with one race remaining.
According to ESPN Perez, who has no wins this season, signed a contract extension for 2025 earlier this year and can't be fired outright.
He can be moved into an ambassador's role, however, if he opts to remain at Red Bull.
ESPN said New Zealand RB driver Liam Lawson appears to be the favourite to step up from the junior team in Perez's place.
F1 driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 2024 F1 calendar concludes on Monday morning (NZT) with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Perez has zero wins in 2024 and all four of his podium finishes came in the season's first five events.
After Perez's 17th-place showing at the Qatar Grand Prix, team boss Christian Horner discussed the Mexican driver's future at Red Bull.
"I'm going to let Checo come to his own conclusions; nobody's forcing him one way or another," Horner said.
"It's not a nice situation for him to obviously be in."
Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021, has recorded six wins and 39 podium finishes since making his F1 debut in 2011. His last victory was the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
-Reuters / RNZ
