Sergio Perez Unveils the Harsh Reality of Being Max Verstappen’s Teammate: “The Worst Job in F1”
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Formula One community, former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has laid bare the grim truth of his experience as teammate to the reigning champion Max Verstappen. As Perez prepares for his comeback in the 2026 season with Cadillac, he has not held back in sharing the challenges and chaos that defined his tenure at the pinnacle of motorsport.
During a candid appearance on Oswaldo Trava’s podcast, Perez candidly described the struggle of competing alongside Verstappen, branding it “the worst job there is in F1.” This statement strikes a nerve, particularly when examining the stark contrast in their performance metrics over their shared 90 races—Verstappen triumphed 53 times, while Perez managed to clinch only five wins. The data speaks volumes, but the emotional toll is what truly resonates with fans and analysts alike.
“I was on the best team, but it was complicated,” Perez confessed, shedding light on the intense dynamics within the Red Bull garage. He hinted at a pervasive tension, pointing out that even when he outperformed Verstappen, it became a source of friction rather than a point of pride. “If I was faster than Max, it was a problem,” he lamented, painting a picture of a toxic atmosphere where competition was stifled rather than encouraged.
The implications of Perez’s statements are profound, suggesting that Red Bull’s management may have preferred a docile teammate for their star driver, rather than one who could genuinely challenge him. “At Red Bull, everything was a problem,” he reiterated, emphasizing the toxic environment that hindered his performance.
Moreover, Perez didn’t shy away from addressing the broader issues plaguing the team. He accused Red Bull of squandering the opportunity to dominate the sport for a decade, a chance that slipped through their fingers as rival teams like McLaren, led by Lando Norris, began to emerge victorious. “We had the best team, unfortunately everything was destroyed,” he lamented, reflecting on the lost potential that could have been achieved under different circumstances.
In another revealing discussion on a separate podcast, Perez elaborated on the media frenzy surrounding his struggles, which he claims served as a smokescreen for the more significant turmoil within the Red Bull hierarchy, including the upheaval surrounding former team principal Christian Horner. “There was so much pressure that year,” he noted, highlighting how the focus on his performance diverted attention from the chaos enveloping the team.
These candid admissions from Sergio Perez not only shed light on his personal experiences but also fuel the ongoing narrative of internal strife at Red Bull Racing. As he gears up for his next chapter in Formula One, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can defy the odds and demonstrate that his struggles were not a reflection of his talent, but rather a consequence of the tumultuous environment at Red Bull.
As the 2026 season approaches, one thing is clear: Sergio Perez’s journey is far from over, and the revelations of his past may just be the catalyst for a spectacular comeback. The world of Formula One watches with bated breath.
