Sergio Perez says Red Bull have one big regret from last year after speaking to ‘very good source’ at the team

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Sergio Perez is hoping to return to Formula 1 in 2026. He doesn’t want his ignominious Red Bull exit to mark the end of his time in the sport.

Perez signed a new one-plus-one deal in June, but the team ended up backing out of that agreement. They paid him off in December and promoted Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls instead.

The Mexican started the year with five consecutive top-five finishes, but only cracked the top six once in the remaining 19 races. That run included nine qualifying eliminations and five DNFs.

Red Bull clearly believed that the bulk of the responsibility lay with Perez. But the performances of their second drivers this season may prompt them to reassess.

Together, Lawson, who lasted just two races, and Yuki Tsunoda have contributed just seven points in 10 Grands Prix. Max Verstappen has delivered 155 in the other car.

Sergio Perez knows Red Bull are ‘very sorry’ for how they treated him

In an interview with Desde el Paddock, Perez was asked whether he expected an apology from Red Bull. Many have become sympathetic to his plight after seeing his successors struggle even more.

The 35-year-old believes that the team put themselves under ‘pressure’, which is why they felt their hand was forced at the end of the season. He hinted that a senior team member had said sorry in private.

Perez has had contact with Helmut Marko this year, but it’s unclear if that’s who he means. He remains a respected figure in the paddock, having started 281 races, scored six victories and stood on the podium 39 times.

“No, I don’t think they’ll apologise,” he said. “In the end, that’s how sport is. Decisions were made because they themselves had already generated too much pressure.

“I know deep down that they are very sorry. I know this from a very good source.”

Why Sergio Perez is unhappy with the coverage of Yuki Tsunoda in 2025

Speaking in April, Perez said Tsunoda had the right ‘mentality’ for Red Bull. But it looks as if his optimism was misplaced.

Tsunoda is set to become the next casualty, with the team expected to let him go when his contract expires. He’s at risk of missing out on a seat altogether for 2026.

Perez has accused the media of double standards, alleging that he received far more scrutiny than either of Verstappen’s 2025 teammates. Red Bull have publicly stated that Tsunoda will see out the season, a guarantee they refused to give last year.

Perez and Tsunoda could feasibly end up competing for a Cadillac seat next year. The Americans will be aware of the latter’s potential availability.