Sergio Pérez has opened up about the intense internal pressures during his tenure at Red Bull Racing, offering a rare glimpse into the Max Verstappen Red Bull tensions that shaped his experiences. His reflections arrive as he prepares for a fresh chapter in Formula 1, having ended his time with the team after the 2024 season.
Pérez joined Red Bull in 2021, stepping into the seat vacated by Alex Albon and quickly finding himself immersed in a world of fierce competition. He celebrated notable successes—including race wins and multiple podiums—culminating in a second-place finish in the 2023 championship. This achievement helped Red Bull secure a one-two finish that season, yet the underlying team dynamics cast a shadow over his accomplishments.
The Mexican driver’s time with Red Bull was marked by both promise and adversity. As technical changes in 2024 increasingly favored Verstappen’s driving preferences, Pérez’s performances waned. He openly described how car development decisions played a critical role in his confidence and competitiveness, stating,
“The best results came early in the season when the car had characteristics that gave me more confidence,”
—Sergio Pérez, Driver.
Internal Struggles and Unfulfilled Potential
Pérez did not conceal his disappointment regarding the internal culture at Red Bull. Even with what he saw as a dominant setup and talented roster, he believed the team missed out on sustained greatness.
“We had the best team. Unfortunately, everything ended up crumbling. I think we had the conditions to dominate the sport for the next ten years,”
he reflected, sharing his disillusionment with how internal issues undermined the team’s trajectory—Sergio Pérez, Driver.
As he recounted his journey, Pérez articulated how sharing the garage with Verstappen was uniquely demanding:
“Being Max’s teammate at Red Bull is, by far, the best and the worst job in Formula 1. It’s extremely difficult. When I joined Red Bull and started getting results, everyone forgot how challenging it was to occupy that seat. I knew exactly what I was getting into.”
—Sergio Pérez, Driver.
The Relentless Demands of the Red Bull Seat
The ongoing scrutiny and expectations at Red Bull meant that nothing came easy for Pérez. Any shift in his on-track performance—whether superior or inferior—sparked intense reactions from within the team.
“At Red Bull, everything was a problem. If I was too fast, it was a problem. If I was faster than Max, it was a problem. If I was slower, that was also a problem. Everything was a problem. I learned a lot. Instead of complaining about the circumstances, I had to make the best of them and get the most out of what I had,”
he admitted—Sergio Pérez, Driver.
These confessions highlight the elevated pressure, as well as the complex and sometimes fraught environment faced by anyone stepping in as teammate to Max Verstappen. As competition intensified, the spotlight often turned into a crucible for even the most seasoned drivers.
Looking Beyond Red Bull: Next Steps for Pérez
With his departure from Red Bull, Pérez is poised to make his return to the Formula 1 grid in 2026, this time partnering with Cadillac and Valtteri Bottas. This move signals a new beginning, offering Pérez a chance to redefine his career and shape fresh narratives after leaving one of F1’s most high-pressure teams.
His frank account has resonated across the racing world, prompting renewed discussion regarding the realities behind the glamour of Formula 1. Figures from recent Dakar Rally events, such as Mitch Guthrie Jr and Valtteri Bottas, have also experienced competitive shifts, highlighting that the turbulence Pérez faced is far from unique in top-level motorsport.
As the dust settles on these revelations, the lasting impact of Max Verstappen Red Bull tensions and the challenges of high-stakes competition will likely continue to fuel debate among fans, drivers, and teams, reshaping perceptions of what it takes to succeed at the elite level.
