Sergio Perez reveals that his Red Bull exit talks started in Qatar last year, as he adds on return chances plus the current situation of Liam Lawson’s ouster and Yuki Tsunoda coming in.
Since his departure, it is the first time that Perez has spoken up via video call with official F1 website. In the interview, the Mexican revealed that it was only in Qatar, the first discussion about his Red Bull exit was brought up by the management, which set things in motion.
He has taken a break of about six months after a grueling time at Red Bull to relax and free his mind. Despite the lull period, Perez has received offers from various F1 teams to join them. It is unclear if they are all current ones or it is Cadillac, who will enter the sport from 2026 onward.
He wants to make a comeback to F1 and not retire already. He thinks he has more to give. On the Red Bull’s current situation, Perez thinks it vindicates his position after the departure of Lawson after two races only. He has good words for Tsunoda to do well and Red Bull to overcome the slump.
Qatar first discussion to leave –
Perez: “Everything happened really late in the season. I wasn’t really expecting it to happen. It only became clearer once we were in Qatar, and we started to discuss and negotiate my exit of the team. It all happened very quickly. It’s been great to have this amount of time to step back a bit, see the sport from the outside and be able to realise the journey that I’ve had so far in many areas. I feel like I’m in a privileged position with my career, knowing that I’ve always maximised all my opportunities and that to me as an athlete is very important.”
Return if possible, talks –
Perez: “If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believe in me and where they appreciate my career, my experience and everything I can bring to a team, it would be very attractive to consider it. That’s why I’ve given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table and make a decision on what I do next with my career. There are a few very interesting projects out there. I’ve been approached by a few teams since Abu Dhabi. Right now, the season has started so a few things will open up in the coming months. We are talking to a few parties out there. Once I know all my options, I will make a decision. What is very clear to me is that I’m only coming back if the project makes sense, and it’s something I can enjoy.
“I’ve spent a long time in F1 already, I’ve done most of it. Once you step back, you realise how much you give up in life to be in the sport. So, to be in F1 fully committed, I need the motivation. It’s good to be in this position knowing that people are keen on you as a drive. People have short memories in F1. Within a couple of races, they forget what you have done. People realise that my position was not the easiest one in F1 – and I’ve done extremely well overall. I feel like that if there is a project that makes sense to me – and also with the regulations changing for 2026 – I feel like taking a year out won’t have any impact if I were to come back.”
Lawson situation, Tsunoda chance –
Perez: “Especially last year, I didn’t get to show what I’m able to do as a driver. Now, all of a sudden, people realise how difficult the car is to drive. When I joined Red Bull, there had been great drivers who had struggled – Alex, Pierre, they are fantastic drivers and they struggled. I spent so long in Red Bull that everyone forgot how difficult the car is to drive, so that was tricky. I really want the team to do well, as I have a lot of friends at the team. I spent four years with them and I want to see them doing well. It’s just a very hard thing to talk about. Right now, I’m on the outside, I’ve been in touch with some team members there – but when you’re not there internally, it’s hard to know [what’s happening].
“For me, it was very simple, the car is just quite difficult to get 100% out of it, to get the confidence out of it – and the things I struggled with, even Adrian talked about them. But I want to wish them the best. Woody, who is a great friend of mine, is engineering Yuki now so I really hope they do well. Yuki has the talent, has the speed and, more than that, you need the mentality to cope with it. I think he has the right mentality and the right attitude to cope with it. I hope they will succeed.”
Here’s Yuki Tsunoda on Red Bull goals
Here’s Red Bull with special livery
Here’s Liam Lawson on decision
Here’s news on Yuki Tsunoda promotion, Liam Lawson demotion
