6 January 2026motorsportDriver Ratings
Perez: Being Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate was the toughest job in F1
Sergio Perez says Red Bull built the car for Max Verstappen, making his role the hardest in F1. He cites early simulator speed, upgrade setbacks and his 2024 exit, exposing internal team tensions.
Sergio Perez says being Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull is the toughest job in F1. He argues the car is engineered for the Dutch champion, and any time he ran quicker it sparked tension. After a strong start in 2021‑2023, a down‑turn in 2024 saw him finish eighth and lose his seat.
Why it matters:
- Highlights how a one‑driver‑centric program can limit a teammate’s potential.
- Explains Red Bull’s internal pressure that may shape future driver contracts.
- Sheds light on why Perez’s performance slipped despite early promise.
The details:
- Joined Red Bull in 2021, finishing 4th, 3rd and 2nd in the championship.
- In 2022 he posted faster simulator laps than Max until upgrades favored Verstappen’s style.
- Upgrades in 2023 again shifted balance, turning a close 2‑2 win split into a performance gap.
- 2024 ended with an eighth‑place finish; Red Bull replaced him with Liam Lawson, then Yuki Tsunoda, and now Isack Hadjar for 2026.
What's next:
Perez remains a proven race winner and could attract a top‑tier seat elsewhere, while Red Bull now focuses on a single‑car strategy around Verstappen. The next driver lineup will test whether the team can sustain dominance without a strong second driver.