Perez announces departure from Red Bull

Sergio Perez announced his departure from Red Bull on Wednesday after four seasons.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team," Perez said in a statement. "Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I'll always cherish the success we achieved together."

RB driver Liam Lawson is expected to be named Perez's replacement in the next few days, ESPN's Nate Saunders reports.

Perez's future was on thin ice after a disastrous slump during the 2024 season left the 34-year-old eighth in the drivers' championship and Red Bull third in the constructors' standings.

The veteran Formula 1 driver scored 103 points over the first six race weekends of 2024. However, he only mustered 49 points over the last 18 race weekends of the calendar.

Perez's 152 total points were 285 shy of his teammate and reigning champion Max Verstappen. He was also 71 points shy of Lewis Hamilton, who sat one place ahead of him in the drivers' standings. Red Bull lost the constructors' championship by 77 points.

Red Bull's decision to go in a different direction comes just months after the team announced an extension for Perez through 2026 in June.

The Mexican driver joined Red Bull in 2021 from Racing Point. Perez aided Verstappen's first drivers' championship with his defensive driving on Hamilton in Abu Dhabi. Perez racked up five wins, three poles, and 29 podiums with the Milton Keynes-based team.