Montoya: Red Bull Gave Perez 'Big Status' Despite Second Fiddle Role

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya is pushing back against the narrative that Sergio Perez was treated unfairly by Red Bull, arguing that the team provided the Mexican driver with the best platform of his career. While acknowledging the difficulties of being Max Verstappen's teammate, Montoya emphasizes that Perez's five race wins and elevated status were a direct result of his time with the team. He suggests that being a number two driver at a top squad is a far better career move than leading a midfield team.

Why it matters:

The debate over Perez's Red Bull tenure highlights a fundamental truth in Formula 1: the ruthless hierarchy within top teams. Montoya's perspective sheds light on the strategic calculus drivers face, weighing the glory of a team's top seat against the tangible benefits—wins, points, and prestige—of competing in a championship-winning car, even as a supporting actor. This context is crucial for evaluating driver careers beyond just win-loss records, especially in an era of dominant teams.

The details:

• Montoya's core argument is that while Perez can complain about the car being "unmanageable," Red Bull ultimately gave him "many very good things" throughout their partnership.
• The winning record: The former driver pointed out that five of Perez's six career F1 wins came during his time with Red Bull, a fact he uses to underscore the team's contribution to his success.
• The #2 vs. #1 dilemma: Montoya posed a direct question to illustrate his point: "Are you going to do that [play second fiddle to Verstappen], or are you going to go to Alpine? You’d rather be number two at Red Bull or McLaren than number one at Alpine in 2025, or Haas."
• Elevated status: He concluded that from an outside perspective, "Red Bull have really given Checo a big status," elevating his profile in the sport significantly more than a lead role at a backmarker team could have.

What's next:

Perez is now set to transition from a supporting role at a championship-winning team to a foundational one with F1's newest outfit, Cadillac, for the 2026 season. The 35-year-old has expressed his desire to see out his career with the American team, aiming to help build the project from the ground up and leave it in a stronger position. His move represents a shift from chasing wins with a top team to the challenge of establishing a legacy with a new entrant on the grid.