In a candid revelation, Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez has detailed the immense pressures of his time at Red Bull Racing and the frank conversation he had with team principal Christian Horner upon his departure. Speaking ahead of his 2026 comeback with the Cadillac team, Perez labelled the role of being Max Verstappen's teammate as the "worst job" in Formula 1, highlighting a no-win situation within the team.
The Impossible Red Bull Balancing Act
Perez explained that the dynamic of partnering a dominant four-time world champion like Verstappen created an unsustainable environment. "If I was faster, it was a problem and it created a very tense atmosphere; if I was slower than Max, it was also a problem," Perez stated during an appearance on the Cracks podcast. He emphasized that one could neither outperform nor underperform the Dutch driver without facing consequences, making it an extremely difficult position.
His insights come after a 2025 season where Verstappen was the sole Red Bull driver consistently scoring points, narrowly missing a fifth World Championship by just two points. Perez was released by Red Bull after the 2024 season, making way for rookie Liam Lawson. However, Lawson's failure to impress led to his replacement by Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 season. This revolving door continued as Tsunoda himself was replaced for 2026 by Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, who will now partner Verstappen.
The Frank Exit Conversation with Christian Horner
Perez provided a fascinating glimpse into his final discussion with team boss Christian Horner. Anticipating the instability that would follow, Perez questioned Horner's succession plan. "I asked him, 'What are you going to do when it doesn't work out with Liam (Lawson)?' He replied, 'Well, there's Yuki (Tsunoda),'" Perez recounted.
When Perez followed up by asking what would happen if it didn't work out with Tsunoda either, Horner admitted, "We don't have many drivers." To this, Perez retorted, "Well, you're going to use them all," with Horner simply acknowledging, "Yes, I know." This exchange underscored the relentless and often unforgiving driver cycle at Red Bull alongside the steadfast Verstappen.
A Gesture of Respect from a Former Rival
Despite the professional challenges, Perez's personal relationship with Verstappen appears strong. On New Year's Day, Perez shared images showing him with Verstappen, both holding a Red Bull helmet. The helmet was a gift from Verstappen, inscribed with the message: "Thanks for being a great team-mate and friend."
This gesture served as a reciprocal act after Perez had previously gifted Verstappen one of his own helmets. It highlights a mutual respect that persisted beyond the high-pressure crucible of the Red Bull garage, offering a humanizing footnote to one of the sport's most scrutinized partnerships.
