Sergio Perez: “Everything Was a Problem” During Challenging Red Bull F1 Stint

Former Red Bull Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez has opened up about his time with the team, claiming that “everything was a problem” during his stint in Milton Keynes, even on occasions when he outperformed Max Verstappen.

Perez joined Red Bull for the 2021 season after an uncertain end to 2020, despite claiming his first F1 victory in Bahrain. His debut year with the team proved challenging as he struggled to consistently match Verstappen’s pace, though he secured a win in Azerbaijan and finished fourth in the standings.

The Mexican driver found greater consistency in 2022, scoring two victories and ending the season third overall, before enjoying his strongest campaign in 2023 as runner-up to a dominant Verstappen. However, a difficult 2024 season highlighted by just four podium finishes ultimately cost Perez his seat.

Speaking on the Cracked podcast, Perez reflected candidly on the internal pressures he faced at Red Bull.

“Everything, pretty much everything,” Perez said when asked what went wrong. “At Red Bull, everything was a problem. If I was very fast, it was a problem.

“Because it created a very tense environment. 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.”

Perez added that the experience taught him valuable lessons about handling difficult situations.

“So I also learned a lot. Instead of complaining, I had to make the best of the circumstances and get the most out of it.”

He also suggested that the wider F1 paddock underestimated how demanding the role of Verstappen’s team-mate can be.

“We had the best team, and unfortunately everything fell apart. We had the potential to dominate the sport for the next 10 years, I think,” Perez said.

“But being Max’s team-mate at Red Bull is already very difficult. It’s the best and the worst job in Formula 1, by far.

“When I arrived, I started delivering results and people forgot how tough that seat really is. I knew exactly what I was getting into I wasn’t arriving to fight one of the best without understanding the challenge.”

Perez was replaced at Red Bull for the 2025 season by Liam Lawson, who returned to Racing Bulls after just two races. Yuki Tsunoda then stepped into the role but lost his seat following a disappointing campaign.

Looking ahead, Isack Hadjar will partner Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026, while Perez is set to return to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac.

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