Perez: Red Bull Pushed Me to See Psychologist During Verstappen Partnership

Sergio Perez has revealed the heavy psychological toll of playing wingman to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, admitting he sought professional help after team officials repeatedly suggested his on-track struggles stemmed from mental issues. Now back in Formula 1 with Cadillac after a year away from the grid, the Mexican described his four years at Milton Keynes as an isolating fight inside a team built entirely around its four-time champion.

Why it matters:

Perez's candor pulls back the curtain on one of Formula 1's most brutal realities: the second seat at a top team is often less about racing and more about survival. His account adds a human dimension to the cold economics of F1, where even a Grand Prix winner can find himself cornered by the very organization counting on his results.

The details:

• Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Perez explained that surviving at Red Bull required accepting his place in the pecking order. Team leadership openly told him the project was designed for Verstappen, leaving no ambiguity about his supporting role.
• He described feeling "completely on my own" without managerial backing, adding that challenging the system was futile because the team would simply "break you."
• Perez confirmed that Red Bull encouraged him to see a psychologist whenever results dipped, creating a narrative that his problems were mental rather than competitive.
• He ultimately agreed to therapy to demonstrate commitment and the "right attitude," hoping to show he would do whatever it took to recover his form.

Between the lines:

While Red Bull insists both drivers receive equal treatment, Perez's testimony confirms what paddock observers have long suspected: the second seat operates as little more than a functional support role with limited genuine investment. The decision to frame poor performance as a psychological failing rather than address potential car or operational imbalances reveals a culture where the number two driver serves as a convenient pressure valve. As he begins his Cadillac comeback, Perez leaves behind a blunt warning for any driver dreaming of equal footing at Milton Keynes.