Sergio Perez said he will take at least six months off after being dropped from the Red Bull team, but admitted he may be tempted back into the cockpit by an “interesting project”.
After 14 consecutive seasons on the Formula 1 grid, Perez begins 2025 on the sidelines after a very disappointing 2024 season that saw him replaced by Liam Lawson.
While his recent struggles make it difficult to envision a path back to a Formula 1 seat for the 34-year-old Mexican, his experience and huge popularity mean a return cannot be ruled out.
Perez was asked about his future when he made his first public comments since being dropped from the Red Bull team in December, giving an inspiring speech to students at a state fair in his home country.
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Watch Sergio Perez struggle last season in what turned out to be his last as a Red Bull driver
He said: “Honestly, I don’t know. It’s too early to get an answer. Everything happened so quickly at the end of the season, so I didn’t expect it.”
“Right now I’m in an incredible dream mode, I didn’t realize I was in it, so if you ask me now, I don’t know. I’m very happy with my life, and very excited for what lies ahead.” .
“Of course, if I receive a good and interesting project, I will definitely think about it and think about it. It will all come in its own time.
“Right now, my priority in the coming months is to have fun, do what I couldn’t do, travel, be with my family…
He added: “In the next six months I will make a decision about what I want in the next step in my career.”
“Freedom is incredible”
Having finished the 2023 season behind Max Verstappen to secure a top-two finish in the Red Bull Drivers’ Championship, Perez has made a strong start to 2024 by securing four podium finishes as he finished in the top five in each of the first six races.
He was quickly rewarded with a contract extension, but then suffered a significant loss in form, which saw him end his season with only nine points from the last eight rounds.
Red Bull ultimately had no choice but to reach an agreement to cancel Perez’s new contract, with the looming threat from McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes convincing team boss Christian Horner of the need for a stronger second driver.
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Red Bull driver Sergio Perez overtook Williams driver Franco Colapinto at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix.
After what was a very difficult end to 2024 for Perez as he faced constant speculation over his future, he said he is enjoying the freedom that has come with his sacking.
“It’s unbelievable,” he added. “It’s hard to describe, but I feel different as a person. It’s something I’ve never experienced before [before]. I’m completely happy.
“I will return to Formula 1 if that is what will make me the happiest. That is all I will think about, what will make me the happiest in the coming years.”
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2025-01-14 08:00:00
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