Sergio Perez details inside information over Red Bull exit: 'They regret it'

Sergio Perez has claimed Red Bull feel “regret” over the decision to drop him from its F1 team.

Perez endured a difficult 2024 campaign with the Milton Keynes-based squad as he struggled to extract pace from the car, resulting in his exit at the end of the campaign.

The Mexican was replaced by Liam Lawson, who lasted just two rounds behind the wheel before being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

The duo have experienced similar struggles to Perez, often leaving Red Bull fighting one-handed with Max Verstappen towards the front of the field.

With Perez now looking on from the sidelines, the 35-year-old has claimed the Milton Keynes-based squad is ruing the decisions it made over its driver line-up.

“No,” Perez told Dede el Paddock when asked if he thinks he's owed an apology from Red Bull. “I mean, at the end of the day, that’s how the sport is.

“They made certain decisions because of the immense pressure—pressure that they themselves helped create. 

“But I know, deep down, they regret it. And I know that from a very reliable source. 

“Still, what can you do? You move on. It’s tough. I have very good friends there, and people might think I take pleasure in what happened - but no.”

Red Bull issues began 'when Adrian Newey left' - Sergio Perez

Verstappen claimed his fourth F1 title last year despite Red Bull taking a hit in the pecking order.

Perez heaped praise on the four-time champion after spending four seasons alongside the Dutchman at Red Bull.

“The truth is, Max deserves all the success he’s having,” Perez said. 

“He’s an incredible driver, and very few people understand the way he works - he’s exceptional.”

Perez was not the only significant exit from Red Bull last year as early on in the campaign, Adrian Newey stepped away from his involvement with the F1 car before signing with Aston Martin.

Perez has suggested the exit of the renowned car designer was the catalyst for things going downhill at Red Bull.

“We had a great team. In the end, it slowly fell apart, but we really did have something special, during one of the most competitive eras in F1,” he added. 

“We didn’t dominate an era like Mercedes, where they had a massive engine advantage. In our case, the performance gap was minimal, and we still built a powerhouse. 

“When Adrian left - that’s when the problems really started.”