Sergio Perez Drops a Bombshell: No Driver Could Thrive Next to Max Verstappen at Red Bull!
In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, Sergio Perez has candidly reflected on the monumental challenges faced by drivers at Red Bull, particularly when pitted against the formidable Max Verstappen. The 35-year-old Mexican racer, who is gearing up to make his return to the championship with Cadillac in 2026 after parting ways with Red Bull at the end of 2024, articulated a sentiment that many might find hard to swallow: even the legendary Lewis Hamilton would struggle to hold his own alongside Verstappen in the high-pressure environment of Red Bull.
During an exclusive interview with Sky Sports F1 at the Mexico Grand Prix weekend, Perez laid bare the harsh realities of competing in a team that has consistently struggled to pair Verstappen with a driver capable of matching his extraordinary performance. The struggle has been evident, with Perez himself getting replaced at the start of the 2025 season by Liam Lawson, who was swiftly ousted in favor of Yuki Tsunoda after just two race weekends.
“I don’t like to criticise the drivers because I’ve been in that position,” Perez remarked, reflecting on the immense pressure that comes with the role. “The minute I signed my exit with Red Bull, I thought about the poor guy who comes here because I managed to survive. It’s a very difficult place.” He went on to emphasize that the challenge of being Verstappen’s teammate is something that outsiders fail to comprehend fully. “Obviously, being next to Max is very difficult. But being next to Max in Red Bull—there are so many things I could tell you about it. It’s just a very difficult job for a driver.”
In an audacious claim, Perez stated that no driver, regardless of their pedigree, could endure the relentless pressure of competing against Verstappen. “There is no driver who could survive there. It doesn’t matter if you bring Hamilton or Leclerc, or whoever you bring; they are going to struggle massively,” he asserted. The mental strain is palpable: “As a driver, it is really difficult because you have to think all the time about how to drive it. When you’re constantly contemplating how to navigate the car, you know what happens.”
As the season winds down, with only five race weekends remaining—including the highly anticipated Mexico Grand Prix—Verstappen has amassed an astonishing 306 points for Red Bull, contributing to the team’s total of 331 points. The Dutch superstar is locked in a fierce battle for the championship, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 40 points and Lando Norris by 26 points. However, Red Bull’s position in the constructors’ standings has taken a hit, currently sitting at a disappointing fourth place.
With these striking admissions, Perez has not only shed light on the complexities of being a teammate to one of the sport’s best but has also raised critical questions about the future of second drivers at elite racing teams. If even the most celebrated names in Formula 1 would falter, what does this mean for the sport’s competitive landscape? The world watches with bated breath as the drama unfolds.
