Sergio Pérez: Being Max Verstappen's Teammate Was 'The Worst Job' in F1

The Mexican driver opens up about the challenges of competing alongside the dominant Red Bull driver.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:11am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Formula 1 race scene, with the cars and track broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the intense competition and challenges faced by drivers in such a high-pressure environment.Pérez's candid remarks about the difficulties of competing alongside a dominant teammate like Verstappen expose the complex power dynamics within top Formula 1 teams.Today in Pittsburgh

Sergio Pérez has made a bold statement, declaring that being Max Verstappen's teammate is perhaps the most challenging role one could have in Formula 1. After spending four years driving alongside Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, Pérez found himself released at the end of the 2024 season, despite having two years remaining on his contract. This year, he is gearing up for a new chapter in his career with the Cadillac team.

Why it matters

Pérez's comments shed light on the dynamics of being a top driver's teammate in Formula 1, where any sign of speed compared to the dominant driver can create tension within the team. This raises questions about the challenges of competing alongside a dominant driver and whether the struggle for success is worth it.

The details

In a recent podcast conversation, Pérez expressed his sentiments about his time at Red Bull, stating, "Being Max's teammate is undoubtedly the worst job in Formula 1. I was fully aware of the challenges ahead of me." He elaborated on the difficulties, saying, "At Red Bull, any sign of my speed compared to Max created tension; if I outperformed him, it became a significant issue. Conversely, if I struggled and he did too, it led to more problems. It felt like there were constant obstacles, no matter the circumstances."

  • Pérez spent four years driving alongside Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.
  • Pérez was released from his Red Bull contract at the end of the 2024 season, despite having two years remaining.
  • This year, Pérez is gearing up for a new chapter in his career with the Cadillac team.

The players

Sergio Pérez

A Mexican racing driver who spent four years as Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull Racing.

Max Verstappen

A Dutch racing driver and the dominant driver at Red Bull Racing, where Pérez was his teammate.

Cadillac

The team Pérez is joining this year as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.

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What they’re saying

“Being Max's teammate is undoubtedly the worst job in Formula 1. I was fully aware of the challenges ahead of me.”

— Sergio Pérez, Former Red Bull Racing Driver

“At Red Bull, any sign of my speed compared to Max created tension; if I outperformed him, it became a significant issue. Conversely, if I struggled and he did too, it led to more problems. It felt like there were constant obstacles, no matter the circumstances.”

— Sergio Pérez, Former Red Bull Racing Driver

What’s next

As Pérez embarks on his new journey with Cadillac, it will be interesting to see how he fares in a different team dynamic and whether he can find the success that eluded him at Red Bull.

The takeaway

Pérez's comments highlight the challenges of being a top driver's teammate in Formula 1, where any sign of speed compared to the dominant driver can create tension within the team. This raises questions about the balance between individual success and team dynamics in the sport.