Sergio Perez’s Explosive Exit from Red Bull: The Inside Story of an F1 Career in Turmoil
In a shocking revelation, Sergio Perez has opened up about his tumultuous departure from Red Bull, unleashing a torrent of criticisms that expose the underbelly of one of the most competitive teams in Formula 1. As he gears up for a sensational comeback with Cadillac, Perez reflects on his chaotic final season with Red Bull, where he felt trapped in a web of problems and pressures.
After being unceremoniously dropped by Red Bull for the 2025 season, Perez is determined to leave the past behind as he embarks on a new chapter with Cadillac. However, his recent comments indicate that the scars from his time at Red Bull run deep. “At Red Bull, everything was a problem,” Perez stated candidly during an appearance on the Oso Trava’s Cracks podcast in Mexico. The six-time race winner describes an environment rife with tension, where any sign of speed was met with suspicion: “If I was too fast, it was a problem. If I was slower than Max, it was a problem.”
Perez’s exit from Red Bull was not just a personal crisis; it was a saga of mismanagement and favoritism that saw him increasingly sidelined. As the team pivoted to prioritize Max Verstappen, Perez found himself grappling with a car that became progressively more difficult to drive. “I joined a project made for Max,” he lamented, revealing the harsh truth behind his struggles. The once-promising partnership had turned into a nightmare, with Perez describing it as a situation where “everything was a distraction.”
The mental toll of competing in such an environment cannot be overstated. Perez articulated the psychological strain of feeling isolated within a team that had turned against him. “Only someone who is mentally strong can survive something like that,” he said, reflecting on the relentless scrutiny he faced. The pressure mounted to unbearable levels, with Perez feeling like the scapegoat for the team’s shortcomings. “All this pressure starts, which was very hard, because, well, who is to blame? The driver,” he explained, alluding to the blame game that ensued.
Adding fuel to the fire, Perez revealed that Red Bull seriously considered terminating his contract in the middle of the 2024 season—a claim that had been dismissed as mere speculation at the time. He recounted a telling conversation with Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, who seemed to have a cavalier attitude towards the instability within the team. “What are you going to do when it doesn’t work out with Liam?” Perez recalled asking, only to be met with vague reassurances about an endless pool of drivers.
As Perez prepares for what could be his final act in Formula 1, he is determined to reshape his legacy with Cadillac, a project he believes has the potential to dominate the sport. “We had the team to dominate for the next 10 years,” he asserted, hinting at the missed opportunities during his time at Red Bull. Despite the bitterness of his past, Perez maintains a sense of gratitude towards the team, acknowledging the relationships he built during his tenure, albeit amidst the chaos.
However, the timing of his comments raises eyebrows. With his return to the F1 grid imminent, some might view his retrospective reflections as a sign that he is still haunted by his Red Bull experience. As he embarks on this new journey with Cadillac, it is clear that Perez is focused on moving forward, yet the shadow of his Red Bull saga lingers. “I want to take my children and my wife with me to enjoy this stage,” he said, emphasizing the importance of family and the joy of racing that had been overshadowed by pressure.
In a dramatic twist, Perez claims that 2025—his year on the sidelines—was his best season in F1. “What was achieved at Red Bull has much more value now,” he concluded, suggesting that his reputation has been vindicated as the team’s new drivers struggle to replicate his performances. As the dust settles on his Red Bull chapter, Perez is ready to rewrite his story with Cadillac, proving that in the high-octane world of Formula 1, the race is far from over.
