Sergio Perez has disclosed the prophetic warning he delivered to Christian Horner during their final meeting after the Mexican driver was ousted from Red Bull at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.
Speaking on the Cracks Podcast with Oso Trava, the 35-year-old revealed he cautioned the then-team principal that the Austrian outfit risked exhausting their pool of available drivers through their approach to personnel changes.
The conversation took place as Perez was informed his seat would pass to Liam Lawson, the relatively inexperienced New Zealander who had been promoted from the junior Racing Bulls squad.
Perez recounted the exchange in detail, revealing he posed a direct question to Horner about contingency planning.
Christian Horner was warned about Red Bull by Sergio Perez
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"I asked him, 'What are you going to do when it doesn't work out with Liam?'" the Mexican explained. "He replied, 'Well, there's Yuki.'"
When pressed further about what would happen should Tsunoda also fail to deliver, Horner conceded the team's options were limited.
"He said, 'We don't have many drivers,'" Perez continued. "I told him, 'Well, you're going to use them all,' and he said, 'Yes, I know.'"
The admission suggested Horner was acutely aware of the precarious situation.
Events have since vindicated Perez's assessment with remarkable precision.
Lawson lasted merely two races at the senior team before being relegated back to Racing Bulls, though he has retained that position for the forthcoming season.
Sergio Perez had his own turbulent time at Red Bull
| GETTYTsunoda's fate proved even more severe, with the Japanese driver demoted to a reserve role for 2025.
Perhaps most dramatically, Horner himself departed Red Bull after two decades leading the operation.
The Briton was dismissed from his team principal position and is now reportedly exploring opportunities to re-enter the sport through Alpine.
Both Lawson and Tsunoda struggled to accumulate points at anything approaching the rate Perez had managed during his tenure.
Yuki Tsunoda suffered a torrid time at Red Bull
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Of all those embroiled in the Red Bull turmoil, Perez has emerged in the strongest position.
The veteran will make his return to the Formula One grid with Cadillac when the 2026 season commences, having taken time away from the sport to be with his family and consider whether pursuing a comeback was worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar has been elevated to partner Verstappen at the senior Red Bull team for the upcoming campaign.
Perez also offered insight into the difficulties of racing alongside the Dutchman, suggesting the atmosphere became fraught regardless of his performance. Being quicker created tension; being slower was equally problematic.