Sergio Perez Reveals New Sad Details About Being Max Verstappen's Teammate

Sergio Perez has shed new light on the brutal reality of being Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull.

Before the 2021 season, Perez signed for Red Bull to become Verstappen's teammate.

At the time, the Mexican was expected to give Verstappen a more challenging task than his predecessors.

However, due to a drastic dip in form during the 2024 campaign, he was dropped and replaced by youngster Liam Lawson.

Lawson, 23, was then dismissed after just two races, with Yuki Tsunoda getting the nod to drive alongside Verstappen.

Meanwhile, Perez, who stepped away from the sport in 2025 after failing to secure a drive, will return next year.

The Mexican will be driving alongside Valtteri Bottas for Cadillac, who are set to become F1's 11th team from 2026.

Speaking this week at the Mexican Grand Prix, Perez revealed the brutal reality of being Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull.

He said: "I think people, you know, from the outside. I don't like criticising the drivers that have been there because I was in that position. I know exactly what they're going through.

"The minute I signed my exit with Red Bull, when we came to an agreement, I knew that, poor guy, who comes here, you know, because I managed to survive. It's a very difficult place, obviously, being next to Max, it's very difficult, but being next to Max in Red Bull, it's something people don't understand."

Perez went on to say partnering Verstappen at Red Bull is a 'difficult job' that even the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc would struggle with.

He added: "There are so many things that I could tell you but it's simply just a very difficult job for a driver. There is no driver that can survive there.

"You know, it doesn't matter if you bring (Lewis) Hamilton or (Charles) Leclerc or whoever you bring there, is going to struggle massively."