Sergio 'Checo' Pérez's Time With Red Bull Might Be Coming to An End After Four Seasons

No hard feelings, but no more chances either. Despite having recently signed a new deal that would keep him at Oracle Red Bull Racing until at least 2026, it seems like Sergio "Checo" Pérez's time as part of the team is coming to an end. His last race may have been another disappointing result at the Abu Dhabi season finale, where he had to abandon the race without completing a single lap due to a collision.

There has been speculation around Checo's future for months. Earlier this year, in June, Red Bull offered him a new two-year deal after a very promising start to the season. But since he finished third during round five in China, Pérez failed to get another podium finish, causing Red Bull to say goodbye to a third consecutive constructors' title and settle for third – their lowest position since 2019.

"Checo" showed defiance about his future throughout the season, believing he would be at Red Bull next season despite a disappointing year. But his comments after the Abu Dhabi race might indicate that is no longer the case.

"I think we know how difficult this year has been so I think it's just a matter of discussing what's best for everyone going forwards. We'll see what happens," said Pérez after the season ended. When asked whether he will be driving for Red Bull next year, the Mexican said: "I've got a contract to drive next year so it will be down to reaching an agreement hopefully. See what the team wants to do."

The change in tune from the veteran F1 driver was also present in his team's post-race press release, in which the team quoted Pérez saying that him and the team had been talking, with Pérez adding that "it's a case of discussing what is best for everybody moving forwards."

After the race, team principal Christian Horner gave a similar statement, potentially anticipating Checo's exit for next year. He highlighted his contributions since arriving to the team in 2020, contributing to taking Red Bull to two constructors' titles and helping Max Verstappen at the controversial 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi.

But despite his contributions, Horner said the team wanted to sit down with Checo and "work out what is the right and appropriate way forward." He added that Pérez is still a Red Bull driver, "so it would be wrong for me to speculate on what next year may look like until he and I have say down and discussed this year, and we reflect on it as a team."

In case Red Bull decides Pérez is no longer the perfect teammate for four-time world champion Verstappen, the team would be willing to give a couple of drivers within its setup a shot in their main team.

RB's Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are two prospects that could replace Pérez is both parties decide to part ways after a disappointing 2024 season.

"I think Yuki has done a good job. In the event that anything were decided with Checo, they'd be the candidates that we would look towards," said Horner after the Abu Dhabi season finale.

Checo's legacy at Red Bull Racing

In four seasons racing for Red Bull, the Mexican driver surely left a mark. After finishing fourth and third in his first two seasons, Checo earned a second-place finish in the drivers' championship, helping Verstappen to another title and making it the first time Red Bull had achieved a one-two finish in the championship's history.

Since joining Red Bull in 2021, the Mexican has won five races and secured 29 podium finishes along with three pole positions.

Since starting his Formula 1 career in 2011, Pérez has entered in 282 races, good enough to rank eight all-time. Among Latin American drivers, only Brazilian Rubens Barrichello (326) entered more races than Checo.

He also holds the title of being the most successful F1 driver in the history of Mexico. His nearly 300 starts are more than the combined total of all other Mexican F1 drivers in history, and his six career wins are triple of Pedro Rodríguez's career wins (2).