Helmut Marko admits Sergio Perez's exit cost Red Bull millions amid reports they took so long to sack him because of the money factor

Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez have reached an agreement to part ways effective immediately, ending their four-year partnership.

Perez may also have one eye on 2026, with the new Cadillac team already hinting that they will want an experienced F1 racer to sit alongside a young American star when they join the grid. With 281 grand prix starts, 36 podiums and six grand prix victories, Perez certainly fits the bill of being an experienced F1 driver.

A disastrous season for Sergio "Checo" Perez inevitably resulted in him losing his spot with Red Bull for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Red Bull have since announced that Liam Lawson will be promoted from their sister team (The Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team) to replace Perez for the upcoming campaign.

The Red Bull axe has been hovering dangerously over Sergio Perez for months now and the F1 giants have finally decided a new team-mate to Max Verstappen is required

Liam Lawson is expected to be within three tenths of a second of Max Verstappen in F1 2025, according to Helmut Marko. Lawson steps up to Red Bull Racing from Racing Bulls in F1 2025, having only competed in 11 races in Formula 1 over the course of the last two seasons.

Red Bull were uncharacteristically undeveloped last year, failing to introduce significant solutions to the RB20. Thanks to McLaren’s unforced errors and moments of brilliance from Verstappen, they managed to clinch the drivers’ crown.

Red Bull Racing is grappling with an enormous financial burden following the decision to part ways with Sergio Perez.