Guadalajara-born driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez, a beloved figure among Mexican race fans, confirmed this week that he is leaving the Formula One Red Bull Racing team after four seasons.

As Red Bull’s second driver, the 34-year-old claimed five F1 victories, including his most notable win at the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix on the iconic streets of Monte Carlo. Pérez proved to be an ideal teammate to Red Bull’s lead driver, Max Verstappen, who secured four consecutive world championships from 2020 to 2024.

The Austrian-owned Red Bull team clinched three Constructors’ Championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023. However, the team fell short this year, losing out to McLaren, partly due to Pérez’s struggles in the latter stages of the season. He finished the 2024 season in eighth place, drawing intense criticism from the F1 media.

In a surprising move earlier this year, Red Bull had extended Pérez’s contract for another two seasons, likely influenced by his strong performance in the early races. However, his failure to reach the podium in the final 19 races led the team to end his contract prematurely. The buyout amount has not been disclosed, though estimates suggest it could be around US$15 million.

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