Former Formula 1 driver and current TV expert Ralf Schumacher commented on Sergio Pérez’s retirement from Formula 1 and also criticized Red Bull Racing.
The die is cast. Like RTL/ntv and sport.de have learned that the collaboration between Sergio Pérez and Red Bull Racing has ended. “Sky” reported first. Fans and observers had to wait for a good week after the Formula 1 season finale until the Austrian Brause empire racing team made a decision about the Mexican.
The fact that Pérez, who was already weak last year and remained well below his previous performance in 2024, was still in the cockpit of Red Bull Racing until the end was also due to the fact that those responsible extended his contract by two years until 2026 in June . A “relatively big mistake that was made at Red Bull,” as Ralf Schumacher explained to “Sky”.
“People believed for a long time that he would find his performance again,” said Schumacher as the reason for the extension at the time. However – after four podium places at the start of the season – there was no good result for the Mexican after the new contract was signed. He achieved his best result in Zandvoort, where he came sixth. In the final results of the drivers’ championship, Pérez ended up in a disappointing eighth place, which also cost Red Bull Racing the team championship.
Schumacher: It was clear – Pérez had to go!
“At that time, the topic of ‘youth research’ wasn’t quite as developed at Red Bull,” Schumacher explained, adding: “They wanted to have people they knew in the car who had a lot of experience.” But then that changed. Daniel Ricciardo was later released from the sister team and Liam Lawson took over the helm at the Racing Bulls.
“Lawson did a great job right from the start, and there were a lot of youngsters who wanted to get a chance, so it quickly became clear: Sergio Pérez had to go,” concluded the TV expert. It will also be New Zealander Lawson who will replace Pérez.
According to information from RTL/ntv and sport.de Yuki Tsunoda was also a hot candidate to succeed Perez. However, the Japanese did not convince the Red Bull bosses during the tests in Abu Dhabi in the RB20.
According to Schumacher, Pérez could actually have been replaced last year, but even then the veteran fell short of his potential. But big sponsors, the Mexican GP and other influences would have prevented that, the “Sky” expert suggested: “There were probably a few reasons.”
Schumacher was pleased that it was now “the right step” for Lawson. “He now has to assert himself against the best and take advantage of the opportunity, I’m excited,” said the former Formula 1 driver about the upcoming Red Bull team duel with Max Verstappen. For Lawson, it was more of a “curse than a blessing” to be on a team with a driver as big as the four-time world champion.