Formula 1 started this Monday with a series of rumors about the future of Sergio Checo Pérez. All indications are that the Mexican driver might say goodbye to Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

According to ESPN, close sources have revealed that the relationship between Checo Pérez and the team has reached a critical point, which could mark the end of this stage in his career.

Why would Sergio Checo Pérez leave Red Bull?

The departure of Checo Pérez from Red Bull seems to be driven by a combination of factors: inconsistent results, internal pressures, and the dominant performance of his teammate, Max Verstappen. Since the Miami Grand Prix, Pérez has failed to finish within the top six, a situation that has directly impacted the team’s position in the Constructors’ Championship.

For his part, Christian Horner, the team principal, hinted that Checo Pérez’s future would be a decision for the driver to make after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season’s final race.

“I think (Sergio Pérez) is old and wise enough to draw his own conclusions, but there’s still one race ahead, so let’s get to the end of Abu Dhabi and see where we stand,” Horner concluded, acknowledging Checo’s importance in the team’s past successes.

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Red Bull, out of the Constructors’ Championship title

Horner was clear in his statements after the Qatar Grand Prix, where Red Bull was eliminated from the Constructors’ Championship contention, a historical occurrence since 1983. The Brit highlighted that although the team won nine Grand Prix this season, all the victories came from Max Verstappen, while Pérez struggled to maintain competitive consistency.

“Checo has been a great driver for us in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He contributed to Max’s championship in 2021 and the Constructors’ titles in 2022 and 2023, but we know he is not enjoying his current situation. We will support him until the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi,” Horner said.

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What alternatives does Red Bull have to replace Sergio Checo Pérez?

Pérez’s departure would open the door for several young talents within the Red Bull family. The most notable names include:

• Liam Lawson, who impressed the team during his participation in the United States Grand Prix.
• Isack Hadjar, who could win the Formula 2 championship in Abu Dhabi and already has practice sessions scheduled with Red Bull.

However, the team’s situation has been difficult to interpret, and some rumors suggest that other talents, like Franco Colapinto, were dismissed due to recent on-track mistakes.

2024, a challenging year for Sergio Checo Pérez at Red Bull

Pérez’s poor performance this year has had direct consequences for Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. Despite Verstappen’s comfortable lead in the Drivers’ Championship, the team ranks third, behind Ferrari and McLaren. This drop could affect the team’s revenue, as Formula 1’s financial distribution depends heavily on championship positions.

Furthermore, the 227-point gap between Verstappen and Pérez is the largest recorded under the current points system, a statistic that has generated internal criticism toward the Mexican driver.

What options does Sergio Checo Pérez have after Red Bull?

If Pérez leaves Red Bull, he could explore other opportunities within Formula 1. One of the most intriguing would be a possible comeback with Cadillac in 2026, given his impact on the North American market and his immense popularity. The alliance between General Motors and Formula 1 to create a new team opens a window of opportunity for Pérez.

There is also the possibility that Pérez could take on an ambassadorial role within Red Bull, similar to what was offered to Daniel Ricciardo in the past. However, this option would depend on negotiations between Pérez and the team’s management.

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