Perez Reveals Tense 'Farewell' with Horner, Warning of Red Bull's Driver Woes

Sergio Perez has disclosed the details of his awkward "farewell" conversation with Christian Horner, in which he warned the Red Bull team principal that his replacements would not succeed. The Mexican driver, now heading to Cadillac F1 in 2026, recounted a tense exchange where he predicted the struggles of both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, a claim that gained traction after their underwhelming performances in the second half of the 2024 season.

Why it matters:

This exchange highlights the immense pressure and difficulty of finding a suitable teammate for Max Verstappen, a role that has proven to be a career-defining challenge for several drivers. Perez's comments also shed light on the internal dynamics at Red Bull during a tumultuous 2024, where his own performance struggles coincided with off-track controversies involving team management. It raises further questions about the team's long-term driver strategy beyond their dominant world champion.

The details:

• The "Farewell" Exchange: On the Cracks podcast, Perez recounted his final talk with Horner: "In my farewell [with Christian], I said: ‘Hey Christian, what are you going to do when it doesn’t work with Liam?’... [Horner replied:] ‘Well, there’s Yuki.’... ‘And what happens when that doesn’t work?’... [Horner said:] ‘Well, we have many drivers.’... I say: ‘Well, you’re going to use them all.’... He says: ‘Yeah, I know…’"
• A Prophetic Warning? Perez's prediction seemed to materialize, as Lawson and Tsunoda collectively scored only five points in the 2024 season after replacing him, a fact he had publicly quipped about during the year.
• The "Distraction" Factor: Perez also reflected on his difficult 2024 season, suggesting his poor form made him a "big distraction" that drew attention away from the internal issues facing Horner at the time. "I was the big distraction. No one talked about anything but me, my performance, how badly I was doing," he said.
• New Beginnings: The 35-year-old is set to return to the grid in 2026 with the new Cadillac F1 team, partnering former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas in a fresh challenge.

Looking Ahead:

As Red Bull continues its search for a long-term solution to partner Verstappen, Perez's comments will only add to the scrutiny surrounding their driver decisions. For Perez, the move to Cadillac represents a chance to reset his career and potentially lead a new project, free from the immense pressure of being the #2 driver at a top team. His insider perspective on Red Bull's inner workings will undoubtedly be a fascinating storyline to follow as the 2026 season approaches.