The fallout from Red Bull Racing’s disastrous 2024 Formula 1 season continues, with six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Perez parting ways with the team after a disappointing campaign. Despite finishing a shocking third in the Constructors’ Championship, Max Verstappen has come to his former teammate’s defense, blaming Red Bull’s inconsistent RB20 car rather than Perez for their struggles.
A “Miserable Failure” for Red Bull
Red Bull entered the 2024 season as favorites after dominating the early years of the ground-effect regulations. However, their RB20 car proved to be a nightmare for the team, especially for Perez. While Verstappen somehow managed to wrestle the car into competitiveness, securing 437 points, Perez struggled to adapt, finishing with just 152 points—well below expectations.
Despite Perez’s performance gap, Verstappen insists that the Mexican driver isn’t solely to blame for the team’s failure.
“For us, of course, it was a miserable failure,” Verstappen admitted. “On the one hand, it was obviously difficult for Checo, and I think it wasn’t always his fault. We also had a very difficult car at the time. I absolutely don’t want to criticize him, and I can clearly say that it wasn’t all his fault if things went so bad.”
The RB20: A Driver’s Nightmare
The RB20’s fundamental design flaws caused headaches for both drivers. While Verstappen’s adaptable driving style allowed him to extract some level of performance, the car’s rigidity and unpredictability made it nearly impossible for Perez to thrive.
“The biggest problem we had this season was that the machine wasn’t working,” Verstappen explained. “Obviously, I know Checo’s driving style. The car we had at one point was very difficult to drive. It was like that for me too, and that doesn’t help.”
Verstappen further criticized the team’s lack of urgency in addressing the car’s flaws, suggesting that earlier adjustments could have helped Perez deliver better results.
“We should have started working on it earlier, because that would have helped him a lot too.”
Liam Lawson: The Next Big Test
With Perez now gone, Red Bull has placed its faith in 22-year-old Liam Lawson, who steps into one of the most pressure-packed seats in Formula 1. Lawson’s promotion comes with high expectations, but he faces the daunting task of partnering with Verstappen and navigating the RB21—a car that may inherit some of the RB20’s deficiencies.
While Lawson enters the team with significant hype, Verstappen’s dominance and the team’s reputation for being harsh on second drivers raise questions about whether the young Kiwi can handle the challenge.
Can Red Bull Rebound in 2025?
The 2025 season represents a fresh start for Red Bull, but it also comes with heightened scrutiny. With a car that struggled to deliver consistency in 2024, the pressure will be on the team to provide Verstappen and Lawson with a more competitive package. For Lawson, the stakes are even higher, as he must prove he belongs at the pinnacle of motorsport while navigating the intense spotlight of racing alongside Verstappen.
As Verstappen reflected on his four years with Perez, he praised their strong partnership and lamented the circumstances that led to Red Bull’s struggles. The Dutchman now faces the challenge of leading a team in transition, while Lawson will aim to avoid becoming the latest casualty of Red Bull’s unforgiving second seat.
