Sergio Perez says he will take at least six months off racing after being dropped by Red Bull but admits he could be tempted back to the cockpit by an “interesting project”.
After 14 successive seasons on the Formula 1 grid, Perez begins 2025 on the side-lines after a hugely disappointing 2024 campaign resulted in him being replaced by Liam Lawson.
While his recent struggles make it difficult to envisage a route back to an F1 seat for the 34-year-old Mexican, his experience and huge popularity mean a return cannot be ruled out.
Perez was asked about his future as he made his first public comments since being dropped by Red Bull in December, as he gave an inspirational talk for students at a state fair in his homeland.
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Watch back Sergio Perez’s struggles last season in what turned out to be his last as a Red Bull driver
He said: “Honestly, I don’t know. It’s too soon to have an answer. Everything happened very quickly at the end of the season, so I didn’t expect it.
“Now I’m in an incredible, dreamy position, which I didn’t even realise I was in, so if you ask me now, I don’t know. I’m very happy with my life, very excited about what’s ahead.
“For sure, if I receive a good, interesting project, then I’ll definitely consider it and think about it. It will all come in its own time.
“For now, my priority in the months ahead is to have fun, do what I haven’t been able to, travel, be with my family…
“In the next six months I’ll make a decision on what I want for the next step of my career.”
‘Freedom is incredible’
Having finished behind Max Verstappen in 2023 to secure Red Bull’s first Drivers’ Championship one-two, Perez made a strong start to 2024 by securing four podiums as he finished in the top five in each of the first six races.
He was soon rewarded with a contract extension, but then suffered a dramatic loss of form that saw him end his campaign with just nine points from the final eight rounds.
Red Bull were ultimately left with little choice but to come to terms on cancelling Perez’s new contract, with the looming threat of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes convincing team boss Christian Horner of the need for a stronger second driver.
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Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was overtaken by Williams’ Franco Colapinto at pit start of the Qatar GP Sprint
After what was an extremely tough end to 2024 for Perez as he faced constant speculation over his future, he says he is enjoying the freedom that has come with his dismissal.
“It’s incredible,” he added. “It’s hard to describe, but I feel different as a person. It’s something I had never lived [before]. I’m perfectly happy.
“I’ll come back to F1 if it’s what’s going to make me the happiest. That’s all I will consider, what’s going to make me happier in the coming years.”
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