Red Bull F1: Sergio Perez reveals Max Verstappen 'problem'

Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez reveals Max Verstappen 'problem' at Red Bull

Perez did not hold back in his latest interview

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Tuesday 6 January 2026 18:54

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Ex-Red Bull star Sergio Perez has spoken out about the 'problem' he encountered during his time as Max Verstappen's F1 team-mate.

Perez first represented the Milton Keynes-based outfit in the 2021 campaign but was axed from the role at the end of the 2024 season.

Red Bull had dominated both championship standings in 2023 with Verstappen taking home his third drivers' title and Perez finishing behind him as runner-up for the first time in his career.

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The duo's massive points haul helped Red Bull to take home the constructors' title as well that year, having won with more than double the amount of points of nearest contenders Mercedes.

But 2024 told a different story for the Mexican driver and after a year of questions over why he could no longer keep up with Verstappen, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko decided his time was up.

Perez: 'Everything was a problem' at Red Bull

In a recent straight-talking interview on the Cracks Podcast, Perez has shared his thoughts on the near-impossible task of being Verstappen’s team-mate — a challenge many have tried and failed to meet.

Perez said: “At Red Bull, everything was a problem. If I was too fast, it was a problem because, of course, it created a very tense atmosphere at Red Bull.

“If I was faster than Max, it was a problem. If I was slower than Max, it was a problem. So everything was a problem.”

After both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda were removed from their seat alongside the Dutchman, it is 2025 rookie Isack Hadjar who will be next to take on the challenge.

The energy drink giants will hope the introduction of new regulations in the sport will work in Hadjar's favour as their junior ranks slim further each season.

Perez will no doubt be keeping an eye on the Red Bull garage from across the pitlane in 2026 as he makes his return to the sport with new team Cadillac— though both Horner and Marko will notably be absent.

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F1 Red Bull Max Verstappen Sergio Perez