Sergio Perez says he’ll take a minimum of six months off racing after being dropped by Crimson Bull however admits he may very well be tempted again to the cockpit by an “interesting project”.
After 14 successive seasons on the Components 1 grid, Perez begins 2025 on the side-lines after a massively disappointing 2024 marketing campaign resulted in him being changed by Liam Lawson.
Whereas his latest struggles make it troublesome to envisage a route again to an F1 seat for the 34-year-old Mexican, his expertise and big recognition imply a return can’t be dominated out.
Perez was requested about his future as he made his first public feedback since being dropped by Crimson Bull in December, as he gave an inspirational discuss for college students at a state honest in his homeland.
He mentioned: “Actually, I do not know. It is too quickly to have a solution. All the things occurred in a short time on the finish of the season, so I did not count on it.
“Now I am in an unimaginable, dreamy place, which I did not even realise I used to be in, so in the event you ask me now, I do not know. I am very proud of my life, very enthusiastic about what’s forward.
“For certain, if I obtain a great, attention-grabbing venture, then I will positively take into account it and give it some thought. It would all are available in its personal 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…
“Within the subsequent six months I will decide on what I need for the following step of my profession.”
‘Freedom is unimaginable’
Having completed behind Max Verstappen in 2023 to safe Crimson Bull’s first Drivers’ Championship one-two, Perez made a robust begin to 2024 by securing 4 podiums as he completed within the prime 5 in every of the primary six races.
He was quickly rewarded with a contract extension, however then suffered a dramatic lack of kind that noticed him finish his marketing campaign with simply 9 factors from the ultimate eight rounds.
Crimson Bull have been finally left with little selection however to come back to phrases on cancelling Perez’s new contract, with the looming menace of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes convincing staff boss Christian Horner of the necessity for a stronger second driver.
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Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez was overtaken by Williams’ Franco Colapinto at pit begin of the Qatar GP Dash
After what was an especially powerful finish to 2024 for Perez as he confronted fixed hypothesis over his future, he says he’s having fun with the liberty that has come together 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 will come again to F1 if it is what is going on to make me the happiest. That is all I’ll take into account, what is going on to make me happier within the coming years.”
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