Sergio Perez's time with Red Bull looks to be coming to an end.
ESPN's Nate Saunders reports that the Formula 1 team has decided to move on from Perez after Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Following a disappointing result at the Qatar Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said that he will let Perez come to his own conclusions about his future with the team.
“Look, Checo has had a very tough year. Obviously the points table are what they are,” Horner told reporters after Sunday’s race in Qatar.
“We’re very much focused on really supporting him to the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi. Obviously it’s not an enjoyable situation for Checo, being in this position with speculation every week.
“He’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is, and yeah, let’s see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”
The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract extension in June to remain with Red Bull through 2026. The team cannot fire Perez but he can be moved to an ambassador role similar to what Daniel Ricciardo did earlier this season.
Red Bull has admitted the new contract contains performance clauses, and advisor Helmut Marko has constantly kept Perez in the rumour mill by openly praising younger drivers.
Perez has struggled to finish inside the top six since the Miami Grand Prix in May. This has led to Red Bull falling to third in the constructor standings behind McLaren and Ferrari, despite Max Verstappen capturing another driver's championship.
The Mexican driver sits 227 points behind Verstappen in the driver's standings, the largest margin between a world champion and teammate in a season under the current points system.
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