Red Bull team boss Christian Horner claims Sergio Perez has decided to take “a little break” from Formula 1, despite the driver insisting he wants to continue racing.

Perez repeatedly stated that he had a contract to drive for Red Bull for two more seasons and that he had no intention of leaving until the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as he admitted that talks were ongoing his future is planned. Following the announcement that an agreement had been reached between Perez and Red Bull for him to leave the team with immediate effect, Horner said the departure was instigated by the Mexican.

“It was a culmination of things,” Horner told ESPN. “Checo started the season so strongly, four podiums in five races. It felt like he picked up where he left off last year.

“But since Monte Carlo, the race, it’s really been a very tough year for him and we’ve tried everything with him and supported him and basically he’s come to the conclusion that I think now is the right time. “To take a break from Formula 1 and take a little break.”

Sources close to Perez refute Horner’s claims, but the Red Bull team boss also expresses his belief that the 34-year-old may not return to F1 due to no racing slots available outside the Red Bull team in 2025.

“I think the most important thing for Checo is to take a little time off and spend it with his family,” Horner said. “He’s been on the treadmill for a long time and (he needs to) think about whether he wants to continue in Formula 1 or maybe look at other categories, maybe sports cars or something like that.”

“But I think first and foremost he needs to take some time off and see how much he misses driving a Grand Prix car and then only he can decide what he wants for the future.”

RACER understands Liam Lawson is in line to replace Perez and Horner told Sky Sports: “We have all the information we need.

“Essentially it will be a choice between Yuki (Tsunoda) and Liam. Both have strong references. We recently tested Yuki at the tire test in Abu Dhabi to give him the chance to work with the technical team. Liam has also done a lot of testing with us behind the scenes this year and drove very well in the six or seven races he did.

“So we have all the information. We are just looking at it all and thinking about it, also talking to the engineering team and will come to a conclusion in the coming days.”