Red Bull Racing has made the decision to release Sergio Perez following a series of disappointing performances throughout the season. The Mexican driver has not tasted victory since April 2023, while his teammate, Max Verstappen, has been in outstanding form, consistently securing top spots on the podium and clinching his fourth consecutive championship title this year.

The announcement regarding Perez’s departure was made on Wednesday, with Red Bull declaring that they have prematurely ended his contract, which had two years remaining. The team indicated that a new driver to fill the vacancy will be revealed “in due course.” Although Perez kicked off the 2024 season with notable success, including four podium finishes in the initial five races, he has struggled to maintain that level of competitiveness, having not finished higher than sixth position since May.

The disparity in performance between Perez and Verstappen is reminiscent of the 1994 season, when Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, was dismissed from his team amid Michael Schumacher’s dominance with Benetton. Perez reflected on his time with Red Bull in a statement, expressing gratitude for the experience and the achievements they shared. He mentioned the memorable milestones they reached as a team and thanked fans, particularly those from Mexico, for their steadfast support, leaving them with an encouraging message to “never give up.”

Often referred to as the “Mexican Minister of Defense,” Perez had previously earned this nickname for his role in supporting Verstappen during their first season together in 2021. His strategy of blocking competitors allowed Verstappen to distance himself from rival drivers. However, in the current season, Perez’s underwhelming performance meant he couldn’t offer substantial assistance to his teammate on the track.

Despite showing confidence in Perez’s abilities by extending his contract through 2026 in June, Red Bull’s management acknowledged that improvements did not follow. Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged this struggle, stating that attempts to stabilize Perez’s performance were unsuccessful. On the same day of the announcement, Horner praised Perez as an “extraordinary team player,” highlighting his five race wins, all achieved on street circuits, as a testament to his relentless drive and commitment to pushing boundaries.