Perez Reveals Final Conversation With Horner Before Red Bull Exit

Sergio Perez has revealed his final conversation with then-Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, shedding light on the challenging environment for drivers alongside Max Verstappen. Perez's departure at the end of the 2024 season, after four years with the team, stemmed from his struggle to adapt to the car's development, which he claims is heavily influenced by Verstappen's driving style.

Why it matters:

Perez's comments highlight a significant issue for any driver joining Red Bull while Max Verstappen is the lead. The team's car development, tailored to Verstappen's unique style, creates an incredibly demanding environment for teammates, potentially impacting their performance and longevity within the squad. This dynamic could deter future talent and shape the team's long-term strategy.

The details:

• Perez's Departure: Sergio Perez joined Red Bull in 2021 and spent four years with the team before his eventual exit at the end of the 2024 season due to struggling pace.
• Final Words to Horner: When asked about his final message to Christian Horner, Perez stated, "Thank you so much for everything. And I'm very sorry for anyone who comes here, because it will cost them a lot."
• Challenging Environment: Perez believes that "no driver can survive" at Red Bull with Verstappen present, as the car's development is heavily influenced by Verstappen's driving style.
  • He emphasized that "all the drivers who have arrived and those who will arrive will continue to have the same problems because it's a very complex car to drive, where you have to constantly adapt to Verstappen's style."
• Horner's Own Exit: Christian Horner himself was ousted as team principal midway through the 2025 campaign, just months after Perez's departure.
• Post-Red Bull Career: Despite being sidelined for the current season, Perez has secured a drive with the new Cadillac team for 2026.
• Positive Outcome: Perez views his departure from Red Bull as a positive development, stating, "What happened with Red Bull, in the end, I knew it was the best thing that could have happened to me, because being at Red Bull and the conditions I found myself in were very demanding."

The big picture:

Perez's experience at Red Bull is not isolated; previous teammates of Verstappen, such as Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, also struggled to match the Dutchman's pace and adapt to the car. This pattern suggests a systemic challenge at Red Bull, where the car's design philosophy is so finely tuned to Verstappen's preferences that it becomes inherently difficult for other drivers to extract maximum performance. This could be a double-edged sword for Red Bull, ensuring Verstappen's success but potentially limiting the potential of their second driver.

What's next:

The 'Perez problem' at Red Bull sets a precedent for any future drivers joining the team. The focus will be on how Red Bull manages its driver lineup and car development in the post-Verstappen era, whenever that may be. For Perez, his move to Cadillac in 2026 offers a fresh start, allowing him to demonstrate his capabilities in an environment less dominated by a single driver's influence on car design.