Sergio Perez’s Father Antonio Perez refutes ‘sabbatical’ claim over Red Bull exit
After being axed by Red Bull, questions loomed over Sergio Perez's F1 career but his father asserted that the Mexican's time in F1 is over.
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Antonio Perez and Sergio Perez, images via IMAGO
Red Bull‘s announcement to drop Sergio Perez in favor of Liam Lawson was inevitable according to experts. On the other hand, questions started looming around the Mexican’s future in F1. Despite his experience, some rumoured offers on the table and huge backing from sponsors Perez some expects Perez to take a sabbatical year.
But the veterans father Antonio Perez discarded the sabbatical claims and asserted that his son has retired from the sport. Sergio Perez initially seemed like the perfect driver for Red Bull to solve its driver woes. However, as the rivals started closing up to the Austrian giant, the performance advantage started to diminish and so did Perez’s results.
He scored a mere nine points in his final eight races while his teammate clocked in over a century of points. This even costed the Milton Keynes-based squad the constructors’ championship. So, the patience of the Austrian giant finally ran thin, and decided to sack the Mexican, despite him having a contract running till 2026.
On the other hand, experts started wondering whether Perez’s exit from Red Bull was merely a sabbatical. With the massive financial backing he has, any small team would have been ready to take the Mexican in its squadron. However, his father Antonio Perez dismissed such rumors and claimed that his son’s time was over in F1.
Today is a total retirement; there is nothing, there is no plan B, there is no plan C; today, at this moment, the Formula 1 page is closing, as it closed before, before arriving at Red Bull… At the moment, there is nothing else in front and we have to live with it; learn it, enjoy it. Let him concentrate and enjoy his family.
Antonio Perez told N+ FORO.
Keeping his 2024 season aside, Perez had played a major role in Red Bull’s success in 2021 and 2022. Moreover, multiple fans still assert that without the 34-year-old’s efforts, Max Verstappen would not have been able to win his first title in 2021. So, Perez has played an immense role in the Austrian giant’s success over the years.
Sergio Perez would take up a new role with Red Bull for 2025
To reward his efforts whether morally or contractually, this breakup would not affect Perez’s relations with the Austrian outfit. Owing to his fandom in South America, Red Bull has insisted on keeping the Mexican as the team’s ambassador.
Subsequently, team supremo Christian Horner shed light on how Perez’s role would work out in 2025. The Mexican would be doing show runs and marketing work for the majority of the year and might be present at some race weekends.
It was right for both of us just to step back for him to step out of the car and take a bit of time with his family and work out what he wants to do. He’s still going to be involved with the team, he’ll be doing a couple of show runs with us during next year. It was right for him because it wasn’t enjoyable for him either, getting all this scrutiny and pressure and expectation every weekend.
Christian Horner said (via TalkSport)
Thus, the 34-year-old would still play a massive role in Red Bull’s marketing projects. Making the breakup a soft one that would lead him down the retirement path, if his father’s statements are true.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(741 Articles Published)