Sergio Perez Opens Up on Brutal Reality of Being Max Verstappen’s Teammate at Red Bull

Sergio Perez has given a candid insight into the immense challenges of serving as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing, describing it as one of the toughest tests in Formula One. The Mexican driver spent four seasons alongside the Dutch superstar between 2021 and 2024 before ultimately losing his seat at the end of the 2025 campaign. During his time with the team, Perez achieved five victories and played an important supporting role in Red Bull’s successful championship campaigns. However, his final season proved particularly difficult, with his inability to match Verstappen’s level of performance contributing to the team losing the constructors’ title to McLaren.

Perez Acknowledges Verstappen Had Every Advantage at Red Bull

In an interview on the High Performance podcast, Perez was frank about the difficulties he faced. “To face Max at Red Bull is the toughest challenge. I mean, even to face Max at any other team would be very tough,” he explained. “But to face him at Red Bull, with his team, his people, his surroundings, it’s tough, and you need the best of the best in every area, and you just don’t have that, you know.” Perez noted that Verstappen benefited from having access to the team’s top resources, including senior engineers and experienced technical staff. “While he has all the opportunities in terms of engineering, senior engineers, experienced engineers, everything goes to Max,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Perez emphasised that he was fully aware of the situation when he joined the team ahead of the 2021 season. “I knew I was going into a project that was built for Max over the years. When they signed me up, it was very clear. I knew what I signed up for,” he recalled. The first meeting with team principal Christian Horner reinforced this reality. “The first time I met Christian he told me ‘we go racing with two cars because we have to. Otherwise we would be super happy just to race with one car. Everything is for Max, around Max, we want to win the championship.’”

Acceptance of Role Key to Longevity at Red Bull

Rather than fighting against the established hierarchy, Perez chose to make the most of the situation and focus on delivering with the resources available to him. “So, instead of me thinking ‘oh why’, I say ‘I come here and I make the most of it in all regards’. And it’s what I did,” he explained. “I went there with the tools available that I had to my expense. I think I overdelivered in all areas over there. It worked out perfectly.” Perez took particular pride in maintaining the same engineering team throughout his four years with the squad, viewing this stability as a significant achievement.

The Mexican driver acknowledged that there were difficult periods, particularly towards the end of his time at the team. “Of course, it turned out, there were some very tough times, very tough periods towards the end as well. The pressure and everyone internally were… We had too much success so people got bored I think and they were fighting each other and you know all the drama around,” he said. Despite these challenges, Perez maintained that his overall experience at Red Bull was positive. “But they were fantastic four years. I think I overdelivered and only once I left and they brought in all the other drivers they realised the job that I’ve done for them for four years.”

Perez Believes Accepting Position Was Crucial to Survival

When asked about how he managed to last as long as he did in such a demanding environment, Perez pointed to his character and willingness to accept his role within the team structure. “I think the only reason I survived there for so long is because, first of all of how I built my character. So for me it was like peanuts,” he said. “Being in that position and accepting it… I think you have to accept in which position you are, and you cannot over push the system too much because they just break you. Also I was completely on my own at Red Bull.”

In terms of support, Perez felt he received backing to a certain extent but recognised the clear priorities within the team. “The team was behind me, like Christian and Helmut would be happy if I win a race. But at the end of the day, they will tell me the whole project is done for our driver and our driver is Max. So for me it was clear and I accepted that. I just tried to make the most of it,” he explained. There were moments when he felt competitive with Verstappen, but upgrades often widened the performance gap significantly. “There were years were I thought we are on a par, I can really give a fight but then as soon as there were upgrades, the difference would increase quite a bit,” Perez recalled.

Perez Finds New Motivation with Cadillac Project

After spending 2025 on the sidelines to recharge, Perez secured a return to Formula One with the new Cadillac team for the 2026 season. The move represents a fresh start and the opportunity to be part of building something new rather than competing within an established hierarchy. His experience at Red Bull, while challenging, has equipped him with valuable knowledge about what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Perez’s desire to prove he remains one of the best drivers on the grid appears to be a significant motivating factor in his return to the sport.

The Mexican driver’s honesty about his time at Red Bull provides a rare glimpse into the internal dynamics of one of Formula One’s most successful teams. His willingness to accept his role and focus on maximising what was available to him allowed him to contribute to multiple championship successes, even if the spotlight remained firmly on Verstappen. The challenges he faced highlight the immense pressure that comes with being teammate to one of the sport’s dominant figures.

Perez’s Career Reflects Resilience and Determination

Perez’s journey in Formula One has been characterised by resilience and determination. From his early days through to his successful period at Red Bull and now his new chapter with Cadillac, he has consistently shown the ability to adapt and perform under difficult circumstances. His decision to be open about the realities of being Verstappen’s teammate provides valuable context for understanding the challenges faced by drivers in secondary roles at top teams.

As he begins this new phase of his career with Cadillac, Perez will be looking to rebuild his confidence and demonstrate once again that he belongs among the sport’s elite. The opportunity to be part of a new project from the ground up offers a different kind of challenge and motivation compared to his time at Red Bull. His experience and knowledge will be valuable assets as the American team works to establish itself in the highly competitive world of Formula One.

The Mexican driver’s reflections on his Red Bull years provide important insights into the internal workings of a championship-winning team and the personal sacrifices required to succeed in such an environment. While the pressure was intense and the resources were heavily skewed towards Verstappen, Perez’s ability to deliver results and maintain stability within his own engineering team represents a significant achievement. His new role with Cadillac offers the chance to write a fresh chapter in what has already been a notable career in the sport.