Sergio Perez is leaving Red Bull

Sergio Perez is set to leave Red Bull, according to multiple media reports. The Mexican has had a disastrous year that cost the team the constructors' championship. The successor is ready.

He is only eighth in the drivers' championship, 277 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen. Sergio Perez has had an absolutely horrific year, hitting a new low over the weekend.

In Saturday's sprint race, the Mexican has to start from the pits. Perez missed the start so much that he was overtaken by Franco Colapinto in the pit lane. The former Sauber driver finished the sprint in last place.

Perez performed well on Sunday, even finishing fifth during the safety car period. The Red Bull driver has not finished in the top five since the Grand Prix in Miami in May.

While the safety car was still on track, Perez suffered an incredible incident. Without any outside influence, last year's runner-up world champion suddenly spun and ran off the track. To make matters worse, Perez could no longer keep the car running and had to withdraw from the race. The six-time Grand Prix winner explained that the spin was caused by the tires being too cold: “The tires were icing and when I stepped on the gas to accelerate after Turn 12 I realized I was going too fast and just lost it. The rear of the vehicle.”

This isn't the first frustrating weekend for Perez in recent weeks and months. If the Mexican gets points, he will be happy now. The best finish in the last four races was a 10th place finish in Las Vegas.

Contract extensions may be a problem

This is definitely not enough for Red Bull. Rumors have been circulating around the circuit for a long time that Perez would have to leave the racing team. But it was not until the summer that the contract between the two parties was extended to 2026. Now, however, the Austrian shower maker's patience appears to be running out. There are rumors that Perez will race for Red Bull for the last time in Abu Dhabi.

Perez and Horner have been working together for four years.Image: trapezoid

According to ESPN, Perez has decided he must give up the cockpit at the end of the season. Team boss Christian Horner already gave the first hint over the weekend:

Perez is also said to have lost a lot of trust among his staff, as their bonuses are dependent on Constructors' World Championship standings, and Red Bull will likely only end the year as the third-best team due to the Mexican's weak performance.

The biggest issue for the Red Bulls now is the contract, which is still valid, with a term of two years and a salary of reportedly $20 million. If Red Bull decides to sack Perez, the 34-year-old's Formula One career could be temporarily over. There will be no free cockpits next season.

The successor is ready

New Zealander Liam Lawson is in the lead to succeed Perez. The 22-year-old is currently under contract with Red Bull farm team Racing Bulls, having only replaced Australian Daniel Ricciardo in October.

Yuki Tsunoda (left) and Liam Lawson are both currently under contract with the Bulls.Image: trapezoid

In five races so far this season, Lawson has finished ninth twice. Last year, the Red Bull future hope replaced the then-injured Ricciardo.

Yuki Tsunoda has only a slim chance of getting the cockpit that might become available. Like Lawson, the Japanese also plays for the Bulls. Tsunoda has more experience. Tsunoda has been racing in Formula 1 since 2021 and has performed particularly strongly in recent races.

It will be interesting to see how Red Bull's driver carousel spins after Sunday's final race in Abu Dhabi and who will join four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the Red Bull team next year. Very interesting thing. (Ritz)