The departure of Sergio Pérez from Red Bull Racing remains one of the most debated decisions the team has made in recent years. The Mexican driver had long been the only man on the current grid capable of truly unsettling Max Verstappen and matching him at his own level — even if the internal dynamics of the team did not always reflect that reality fairly.

More than a year has passed since the Guadalajara-born driver left the Milton Keynes outfit, yet Pérez holds a distinction that speaks volumes: he is the last Red Bull driver not named Max Verstappen to claim a pole position in Formula 1. That moment came three years ago, at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix — and no one has come close to replicating it since.

The fact stands as a stark indictment of the decisions made after his exit. Neither Liam Lawson, nor Yuki Tsunoda, nor — thus far — Isack Hadjar has come anywhere near what Pérez delivered on a consistent basis. None of them has approached his level, let alone Verstappen's. What was framed as a necessary change has instead exposed the gap that Pérez quietly, and often thanklessly, filled.

When his career appeared to be winding down, Sergio Pérez was given a lifeline by Red Bull at the end of 2020, stepping in as Alexander Albon's replacement. Over the four seasons that followed, the Mexican won five Grands Prix and contributed to two Constructors' Championships for the team — a record that by any objective measure represents a genuine contribution.

However, the 2024 season proved to be his undoing. Pérez finished eighth in the Drivers' standings while Verstappen clinched the title with two full rounds to spare. On top of that, Pérez was involved in more on-track incidents than any other driver on the grid, and Red Bull fell short in the Constructors' Championship — finishing third and costing the team tens of millions in prize money.

After months of speculation, the decision was made public: Liam Lawson would replace Pérez in 2025, becoming the fifth different teammate Verstappen has had at Red Bull. Pérez himself stayed silent on his future plans for some time, though the team's advisor Helmut Marko suggested he had a clear read on what would happen next. Eventually, the Mexican confirmed his Formula 1 return — signing with Cadillac for the 2026 World Championship.

That return has offered Pérez a fresh start, and perhaps some vindication. But for Red Bull, the numbers tell a story that is increasingly difficult to ignore: replacing him may have cost the team far more than they anticipated, both on the timing sheets and in the standings.

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