Red Bull replacements highlight Sergio Perez’s value: “Lawson and Tsunoda managed only 5 points”. Sergio Perez reflects on his Red Bull exit.

Perez: “I have nothing to prove, Lawson and Tsunoda scored just 5 points”

Sergio “Checo” Perez is back in Formula 1 with Cadillac, ready to focus on enjoying the sport rather than proving a point. The Mexican driver was released by Red Bull at the end of 2024, despite having an official contract renewal earlier that year and a valid contract for 2025. The termination required a substantial severance package from Red Bull to rescind the agreement with Perez.

Red Bull started the 2025 season with Liam Lawson in Sergio Perez’s former seat, but after just two races, the team decided to swap the drivers with Yuki Tsunoda. At the time, team principal Christian Horner explained the change, stating, “We want to fight for the Constructors’ Championship.” However, Horner himself is no longer part of the team following his departure in early July. Looking at the Constructors’ standings, Red Bull’s position seems to contradict those ambitious words. The team is fourth in the championship, nearly tripled in points by McLaren and over 60 points behind second-placed Ferrari.

Red Bull’s performance in 2025 has been almost entirely dependent on Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver has scored 187 of the team’s 194 points so far, with Yuki Tsunoda contributing only seven points—three of which came in chaotic circumstances during the Sprint race in Miami. Speaking at a press conference following the announcement of his F1 return, Perez addressed the situation directly: “I have nothing to prove. Now it’s clear how difficult it is to be in that seat,” Perez said, referring to the Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen, as reported by PlanetF1.com. “Considering all the challenges those drivers have faced and will face, and what happened before, I think throughout the season they scored roughly five points,” he added, referencing Lawson and Tsunoda.

“For that reason, I have nothing to prove. I just want to enjoy this sport again, which has given me so much. I couldn’t afford to leave F1 the way I did, so I’m returning with a new project that I hope will be very successful.”

With this mindset, Sergio Perez is set to embrace his comeback in Formula 1, focusing on racing for passion and performance rather than proving critics wrong.