6 January 2026PlanetF1Race reportDriver Ratings
Perez says Verstappen teammate role is the hardest job in F1
Sergio Perez says being Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull was the toughest job in F1, citing pressure, internal expectations, and a car that turned from advantage to problem after upgrades.
Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez told the Cracks podcast that being Max Verstappen’s teammate was “the hardest job in Formula 1.” He said every metric – speed, consistency, media duties – instantly became “a problem” under the team’s expectations.
Why it matters:
- Red Bull’s championship success depends on a stable driver pairing; tension can affect car development and race strategy.
- Perez’s candid view explains why the team rotated second drivers after 2014 and why Verstappen remains the clear number‑one.
The details:
- Joined Red Bull in 2021, earned five wins, and spent four seasons as Verstappen’s teammate.
- Horner told him early on “this project was created for Max,” setting a clear hierarchy.
- Upgrades in 2022 erased his early pace advantage; Perez said any speed gain quickly became “a problem,” and criticism grew to “everything was a problem.”
What’s next:
- He departs Red Bull after 2024, returns in 2026 with Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas.
- Red Bull will keep Verstappen as lead driver and likely promote a young talent to the second seat.
- Perez’s experience may shape how other teams handle driver hierarchies under the 2026 power‑unit rules.