Sergio Pérez Opens Up About His Time as Max Verstappen’s Teammate
Sergio Pérez has spoken candidly about his experience as a teammate to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, describing it as “the worst job there is in Formula 1.” Pérez spent four years alongside Verstappen before being released by the team at the end of 2024, despite having two years left on his contract. He is set to return to F1 this year with a new team, Cadillac.
Pérez’s comments, made during a podcast with Oswaldo Trava, shed light on the challenges he faced while driving for Red Bull. “I was on the best team, but it was complicated because being Max’s teammate at Red Bull is the worst job there is in F1. I knew what I was up against,” he said. Pérez’s experience is a testament to the intense competition and pressure that comes with driving for a top-tier team in the sport.
Challenges of Driving Alongside Verstappen
According to Pérez, every aspect of his performance was scrutinized, and he faced criticism regardless of his results. “At Red Bull, everything was a problem; if I was faster than Max, it was a problem, a very tense atmosphere was created; it was a problem if you were faster than Max. If you were too slow and Max was slow, then everything was a problem.” This level of pressure can be overwhelming, even for an experienced driver like Pérez.
Pérez’s best season with Red Bull was in 2023, when he finished as runner-up to Verstappen. However, his performance in 2024 was less impressive, and he finished eighth in the championship, leading to his release from the team. Despite this, Pérez remains optimistic about his future in the sport and is looking forward to his new challenge with Cadillac, where he will partner with Valtteri Bottas.
A New Chapter for Pérez
Pérez has been racing in F1 since 2011 and has had his most successful seasons with Red Bull, including a fourth-place finish in 2021, third in 2022, and second in 2023. After taking a year off from racing in 2024, he is eager to get back on the track and compete at the highest level. With his experience and expertise, Pérez is expected to be a strong contender in the upcoming season.
Information from the Associated Press and ESPN MX was used in this report, providing additional context and insights into Pérez’s career and experiences in F1. As the new season approaches, fans and enthusiasts alike will be watching Pérez’s progress with interest, eager to see how he will perform with his new team and what the future holds for this talented driver.
