Perez wants to "slow down" after his exit from Red Bull
In the face of his departure from Red Bull Racing, six-time F1 race winner Sergio Perez has revealed that he now wants to "slow down" for the first time in his life.
Red Bull announced earlier this week that Sergio Perez will leave the team with immediate effect as the Milton Keynes-based outfit and the Mexican driver have reached an agreement to part ways ahead of next season.
The decision put an end to the speculation of recent months, and means that the Mexican driver will leave the Austro-British outfit despite the deal that would have seen the 34-year-old driver race for the team until the end of 2026.
The Guadalajara-born driver joined Red Bull in 2021, and helped his team-mate Max Verstappen win his first championship title that year, playing a pivotal role at the title-deciding 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
However, he has failed to deliver a consistent performance over the last couple of years. Perez has won five races with Red Bull, and finished second in the Drivers' Championship last year, but he has endured periods during which he simply struggled for outright pace in qualifying.
After a strong start to the 2024 season, Red Bull elected to extend his contract by a further two years which would see Perez race for the Milton Keynes-based outfit until at least the end of the 2026 F1 season. However, the Mexican struggled for pace after his contract extension.
Speaking of the upcoming period of time, the six-time F1 race winner has revealed that he now wants to "slow down" for the first time in his life.
“Four years ago an opportunity came along that would change my life,” said Perez. “In a moment of confusion and frustration came an opportunity that would transform my career.
"Hand in hand with my first victory, I joined Red Bull. I arrived with all of the illusion of returning the team to the top. And make my flag fly on the podium. It wasn’t easy, but with hard work and determination, the results came.
"We were champions. Mexico sang with our first podium at home. And of course, we conquered Monaco. We built history with our own hands.
"It’s time to thank Red Bull and move on. I am grateful and honoured to have been a part of their history. On a personal note, it’s time to slow down for the first time in my life.
"But only for a few corners until we know what our next journey is. To all of you who have been with me, I thank you always and no matter how hard your dreams may seem, always dare to believe. The best is always yet to come. We will meet again. Never give up.”
