Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a job, only to find that no matter what you do, it's never quite right. That's the picture Sergio Perez paints of his time at Red Bull Racing. In a recent interview, the former Red Bull driver didn't hold back, claiming that his very presence in the team seemed to be a problem, regardless of his performance. But here's where it gets controversial: was it really all Red Bull's fault, or were there other factors at play?
Perez, who joined Red Bull for the 2021 season after a nail-biting end to 2020 that saw him clinch his first-ever victory in Bahrain, faced immense pressure from the start. Expectations were high, but matching the sheer speed and consistency of his teammate, Max Verstappen, proved to be a monumental challenge. While 2021 saw him secure a win in Azerbaijan and finish fourth overall, it was clear that he was struggling to truly find his footing within the team.
2022 brought a glimmer of hope, with Perez consistently vying for podium finishes, securing two wins, and ultimately finishing third in the championship. 2023 saw him become runner-up to Verstappen, though the gap between them was significant. But a disappointing 2024, marked by only four podiums, ultimately led to his departure from Red Bull. And this is the part most people miss: the intense pressure cooker environment of a top-tier F1 team can make or break even the most seasoned drivers.
Speaking on the Cracked podcast, Perez revealed the extent of the challenges he faced. When asked what went wrong during his Red Bull tenure, his response was blunt: "Everything, pretty much everything. At Red Bull, everything was a problem. If I was very fast, it was a problem, because, of course, it created a very tense environment at Red Bull. If I was faster than Max, it was a problem. If I was slower than Max, it was a problem. So everything was a problem. So I also learned a lot, right? That, well, the circumstances I’m in, instead of complaining, I have to make the best of it and get the most out of it."
He emphasized the unique pressures of being Verstappen's teammate, a sentiment that often gets overlooked. "We had the best team. Unfortunately, everything fell apart. We had the team to dominate the sport for the next 10 years, I think. And unfortunately it all ended, but I was in the best team, in a complicated team, right? Because being Max’s team-mate at Red Bull is already very difficult, but being Max’s team-mate at Red Bull is the best and the worst job in F1, by far. And well, everyone forgot, right? When I arrived at Red Bull, I started getting results, everything. Everyone forgot how difficult it was to be in that seat. And I was very aware of what I was getting into – I wasn’t arriving at Red Bull to compete against one of the best.”
Perez's comments raise some interesting questions. Was the environment at Red Bull truly as toxic as he suggests? Or was it simply the immense pressure of competing at the highest level, coupled with the challenge of being paired with a generational talent like Verstappen? Was Red Bull completely at fault, or did Perez fail to adapt effectively to the team's dynamics? These are questions that are sure to ignite debate among F1 fans. This is where it could spark differing opinions...
Looking ahead, the driver lineup for Red Bull has seen some shuffling. Liam Lawson briefly replaced Perez in 2025, before being moved back to Racing Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda, following a disappointing season, was then replaced, with Isack Hadjar set to join Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026. Meanwhile, Perez is slated to make his F1 return with Cadillac.
So, what do you think? Was Perez unfairly treated at Red Bull, or was he simply unable to meet the team's expectations? Do you believe his assessment of the environment is accurate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
