Perez: Verstappen's 'Pure' Leadership Made Me a Faster Driver

Sergio Perez says his four seasons alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull made him a faster driver, citing the Dutchman's "pure" leadership and relentless approach as lasting lessons. Now with Cadillac in the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Mexican reflected on how Verstappen's unique ability to direct car development provided insights he carries into his current campaign.

Why it matters:

Perez's remarks provide rare insight into the internal dynamics of Red Bull's dominant era and the demands of serving as Verstappen's team-mate. His experience underscores how a generational talent's technical clarity can sharpen a team-mate's skills while exposing the strain of an unbalanced garage. For Cadillac, that hard-won perspective could prove vital as the American squad navigates its formative years in Formula 1.

The details:

• On the High Performance podcast, Perez described Verstappen as a "tremendous force" who knows precisely what he needs to improve his pace and where the car is lacking.
• He emphasized that Verstappen's ability to give the team clear direction is "very unique," pushing engineers and personnel in ways few drivers can replicate.
• Perez noted that witnessing this approach across four very different cars from 2021 through 2024 directly contributed to his own development.
• Despite these gains, the intense environment at Milton Keynes took its toll, with Perez previously acknowledging that the team's singular focus on Verstappen played a role in his 2024 exit.
• After sitting out 2025, Perez joined Cadillac's new F1 operation but has struggled for results, currently sitting 22nd in the drivers' standings at the season's midway point.

What's next:

Perez faces an uphill battle at Cadillac, where reapplying the lessons learned from Red Bull will be critical if he hopes to help the fledgling team climb the midfield. While a return to the front appears unlikely in the short term, his experience handling high-pressure environments could prove invaluable as Cadillac builds its infrastructure and technical understanding over the coming seasons.