‘I didn’t expect it’ – Perez opens up on Red Bull exit and discusses chances of an F1 return

Sergio Perez has spoken publicly for the first time about his departure from Red Bull last month, with the Mexican’s place alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen being taken by Liam Lawson.

Perez entered 2024 looking to build on his best-ever finish of second in the drivers’ standings, having also contributed to back-to-back constructors’ titles, with a strong start to the year earning him another contract extension.

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However, he endured a slump after putting pen to paper and, with just nine points to his name across the last eight Grand Prix weekends, Red Bull announced that Perez would be leaving and ending a four-year association.

Perez has since been taking time out in his native Mexico and, over the weekend, gave an inspirational talk for students from schools in the city of León to open their State Fair – the conversation, inevitably, touching on the F1 world.

Asked for an update on his future plans, and whether he will return to F1, Perez said: “Honestly, I don’t know. It’s too soon to have an answer. Everything happened very quickly at the end of the season, so I didn’t expect it.

READ MORE: Horner opens up on Perez’s exit from Red Bull as he says it was Mexican’s decision to ‘take time out’

“Now I’m in an incredible, dreamy position, which I didn’t even realise I was in, so if you ask me now, I don’t know. I’m very happy with my life, very excited about what’s ahead.

“For sure, if I receive a good, interesting project, then I’ll definitely consider it and think about it. It will all come in its own time. For now, my priority in the months ahead is to have fun, do what I haven’t been able to, travel, be with my family...

“In the next six months I’ll make a decision on what I want for the next step of my career.”

Perez, soon to turn 35, made his F1 debut some 14 years ago and admitted that he is enjoying the freedom that has come with stepping away from the sport – whether it’s for the short-term or long-term.

“It’s incredible,” he commented. “It’s hard to describe, but I feel different as a person. It’s something I had never lived [before]. I’m perfectly happy.

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“I’ll come back to F1 if it’s what’s going to make me the happiest. That’s all I will consider, what’s going to make me happier in the coming years.”

With Lawson replacing Perez, the knock-on effect will see another new name feature on the F1 grid this year, as F2 championship runner-up Isack Hadjar slots in at Racing Bulls alongside incumbent Yuki Tsunoda.

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