After four years, Formula 1 driver Sergio Prez is officially departing Red Bull Racing. The Mexican driver and the team announced on Wednesday that they had come to an agreement to split ways before his contract expires.
The choice frees up a highly sought-after spot as a teammate of four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
The 35-year-old Prez praised the squad and wished them well in the future in a statement meant to provide a friendly farewell.
For the previous four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and the chance to compete with such a fantastic team, I am immensely thankful. “I’ll always treasure the accomplishments we made together, and driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience,” he stated. We would especially like to thank the Mexican fans for their daily, steadfast support, as well as the supporters worldwide. We’ll see each other shortly. Additionally, never give up.
Prez’s departure after a dismal season in which, for the first time in his four years with Red Bull, he was unable to manufacture any victory. While teammate Verstappen ended first in the championship, he struggled to keep up with the changing car and finished a dismal seventh. For months, there have been rumors of an early departure even though they had a contract for the following year.
The transfer may mark the end of Prez’s Formula 1 career, which started in 2011, as he will not have a racing seat for the upcoming season.
Christian Horner, the manager of the Red Bull team, mentioned the team’s first 1-2 result in the Drivers title last year and congratulated Checo, who goes by his nickname, for everything he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the previous four seasons.
His five victories—all on street circuits—were also a remarkable testament to his unwavering will to always push himself. Even though Checo won’t be competing for the Team the following season, Horner stated that he will always be a beloved member of the Team and a part of our history.
Highlights of Prez’s career with the team include victories in the streets of Monaco, Baku, and Saudi Arabia, as well as an exhilarating wheel-to-wheel battle with Mercedes Lewis Hamilton in the season’s final race in 2021, which Verstappen later claimed helped him win the world championship that year.
Red Bull just stated: Additional announcements on the Team’s complete 2025 lineup will be revealed in due time. They did not specify who would take his place.
Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who now race for the Red Bull junior squad, known as RB, which is renowned for auditioning drivers for the senior team, are the two contenders Horner recently told F1 reporters would replace Prez.
Last month, Lawson told NBC News that he would welcome the chance to drive for Red Bull with Verstappen.
There was no time limit for such a choice, Lawson added. “I don’t know if that’s possible or not, but obviously that’s my goal to be in Formula 1 full time, and obviously I’m here to try and win a world championship as well, and the best place to do that is at Red Bull.”
He stated that his objective was to merely try to get a place next year, wherever that might be. Going to Red Bull is clearly the ultimate goal.
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