Red Bull is ruthless when it comes to performance. If you’re on the team and you’re consistently bringing it, you’re golden. But if you’re not? Well, there’s no room for slack. And it doesn’t matter if you’ve been there for four seasons, won five Grand Prix, or finished on the podium 29 times for them.

This is the reality Sergio Perez is facing. No one expected the two-season contract extension to end like this, with Perez being shown the door early. But, let’s be real—can we blame Christian Horner? After all, 2024 wasn’t the dominant Perez we’ve seen in past seasons. It took a while, but now the Mexican driver is finally opening up about what’s next for him.

Is Sergio Perez coming back to Formula 1?

Sure, we know the RB20 had its share of issues—handling problems, car balance struggles, and the general pace just wasn’t there. But here’s the thing: his teammate Max Verstappen had the same car and the same problems. Still, Verstappen went on to secure his 4th championship, while Perez finished a distant 8th—285 points behind his teammate.

That underperformance cost Red Bull the constructors’ championship, which ended up going to McLaren thanks to some stellar driving from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Meanwhile, Red Bull barely managed to snag 3rd, behind Ferrari. After the Abu Dhabi race, Sergio Perez was officially replaced by rookie Liam Lawson for 2025.

Now, as the dust settles, Perez has shared his thoughts on what’s next for him. “In the next six months, I will make a decision about what I want for the next step in my career. It’s too early to say if I plan to return to Formula 1. Everything happened so quickly at the end of last season, I didn’t expect to leave the team,” said Sergio Perez.

Horner has hinted that Perez might still stay connected to Red Bull in some capacity, saying he would “still be involved with the brand and the team, but he’s stepping back from driving duties.” But honestly, it’s hard to picture Perez just hanging around in the background. Could he look at a possible retirement? Only time will tell. So, for now, he’s stepping away and focusing on family.

Time for some Perez family time

It’s pretty clear Perez won’t be racing in 2025. But a return in 2026 is still on the table. Could we see him at Cadillac when they make their Formula 1 debut? We’ll see. In the meantime, he’s focused on spending time with his family. “My priority is to enjoy myself, do things I haven’t done before, and be with my family,” he said.

At 34 years old, Perez has four kids with his wife, Carola Martinez—two boys (Sergio and Emilio) and two girls (Carlota and another little one who was born last September, though her name hasn’t been revealed). And right now, being with them is what matters most.

“My biggest motivation now is to guide my children along the right path and be more present in their lives,” Perez added. “In F1, you’re always thinking about becoming a better driver, preparing yourself better… you don’t have time for anything else.”

We totally get it. It’s a demanding sport, and stepping away to focus on family is more than understandable. But let’s be real—Perez’s story in Formula 1 is far from finished. With 281 starts and six wins, he’s not just going to be remembered as a footnote in the sport.

What do you think about Perez’s decision? Will we see him back in racing, or has he closed that chapter for good? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!