Former Red Bull F1 driver Sergio Perez has revealed that his time with the team was fraught with difficulties, stating that “everything was a problem,” including moments when he outpaced teammate Max Verstappen. Despite securing his first win in Bahrain and signing with Red Bull for the 2021 season amid uncertainty, Perez struggled to consistently match Verstappen’s pace. He ended 2021 in fourth place with a victory in Azerbaijan, improved his performance in 2022 with two wins and a third-place finish overall, and finished second to Verstappen in 2023. However, the 2024 season was disappointing, with only four podiums, leading Perez to lose his motivation to stay with Red Bull.
In an interview on the podcast “Cracked,” Perez explained that at Red Bull, his performance was always seen as problematic—whether he was faster or slower than Verstappen, it caused tension. He acknowledged the challenges of being Verstappen’s teammate, calling it both the best and worst job he’s had in F1, and pointed out that people often forget how hard it was to secure a seat at Red Bull. Perez also reflected on the team’s potential to dominate the sport over the next decade but lamented how things fell apart.
Perez was replaced by Liam Lawson for the 2025 season but returned after just two races, with Hiroki Tsunoda taking his place after a disappointing season. In 2026, Izak Hajar will partner Verstappen at Red Bull, while Perez is set to continue his F1 career with Cadillac.
Fan Take: Perez’s candid insights highlight the intense pressure within top F1 teams, especially when competing alongside a dominant teammate like Verstappen. For Racing fans, this underscores how mental toughness and team dynamics play a huge role behind the scenes, and Perez’s move to Cadillac could shake up the sport by bringing his experience and fire to a fresh team.
