Today, the inevitable has finally happened: Sergio Pérez has been dismissed from Red Bull Racing. After months of speculation about his future and a disappointing season full of missed opportunities, the team has decided to terminate the collaboration. Pérez began his Red Bull career with high expectations, but saw his role in the team gradually diminish. In this article, we look back at the five defining moments that led to his departure.
1. The Downfall Began in Monaco (Qualifying, May 2023)
During the qualifying for the Monaco GP, Pérez lost control of his car and crashed in a crucial session. As a result, he had to start the race from the back of the grid and finished outside the points. This incident marked the beginning of a pattern of inconsistent performances, especially on technical circuits like Monaco. Although Pérez later recovered that season with a number of good results, the impression remained that he was vulnerable in high-pressure situations – an image he never fully shook off.
2. A Costly Retirement (Azerbaijan, April 2024)
During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Pérez retired while Red Bull had the opportunity to extend their lead in the constructors’ championship. McLaren took full advantage and took the lead after this race. For Red Bull, it was a hard blow, but even more so for Pérez himself. This retirement was seen as a missed opportunity to prove his value to the team at a crucial moment in the season.
3. Uncomfortable in the Car (Qatar, October 2024)
And what about Verstappen? He’s driving the same car… After a difficult race in Qatar, Pérez openly criticized the RB20, stating that he never felt comfortable with the car’s setup. This did not go down well with the team management, especially since Verstappen was using the same car without problems to remain dominant. Pérez’s statements fueled the impression that he couldn’t handle the pressure of a top team, which raised further doubts about his future at Red Bull.
4. Series of Poor Qualifications in the Second Half of the Season (July-November 2024)
In the second half of the season, Sergio Pérez struggled to qualify within the top 10. This is a clear minimum requirement for a “second man” in a top team, as only regular high starting positions ensure a driver scores the points necessary for the constructors’ championship. While Verstappen continued to win races, there were multiple qualifications where Pérez ended up on the grid behind McLaren and Ferrari drivers. This highlighted his lack of consistency and called into question the value of his role in the team.
5. Last Chance, Last Misstep (Abu Dhabi, December 2024)
The final race of the season was a disappointing finale for Pérez. Although Red Bull’s position in the constructors’ championship was already secured, Abu Dhabi offered Pérez one last chance to stand out positively and prove his worth in the team. Instead, he finished out of the points once again. This result, following a season of underwhelming performances, was seen by many as the last straw. The words of Christian Horner after the race – that Pérez’s season would be evaluated – spoke volumes and underscored that his time at Red Bull had come to an end.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
But of course, a driver’s career doesn’t hinge on 5 moments. What also stands out is how Pérez’s performances compare to other drivers in the top teams. As a “second man” in a dominant team, he is expected to regularly score points and perform consistently. Yet, Pérez finished out of the points as many as nine times this season. In comparison, Oscar Piastri (the second driver at McLaren) fell out of the points only three times, while Carlos Sainz (Ferrari’s second man) ended out of the points five times. Even Daniel Ricciardo, who was replaced at AlphaTauri due to disappointing results, fell out of the points less often (eight times), despite only racing half the season. For a team striving for dominance, this is simply not enough.
