Sergio Perez, set to join the Cadillac team next season, recently had his past Red Bull Racing performance defended by Ralf Schumacher. Perez departed Red Bull at the end of the previous campaign, despite having finished second in the 2023 championship. Schumacher’s comments came during the Backstage Boxengasse podcast on Sky Sports DE.
Why it matters:
Sergio Perez’s career trajectory at Red Bull has been a constant point of discussion, particularly his performance relative to Max Verstappen. Ralf Schumacher’s defense offers a seasoned perspective on Perez's contributions and capabilities, highlighting his value despite his eventual departure.
The big picture:
Schumacher, a former Formula 1 driver, praised Perez's consistent presence near Verstappen throughout his four seasons with Red Bull. He noted Perez’s significant role in helping Verstappen secure a world championship by holding back Lewis Hamilton during key races.
Schumacher's assessment:
"Perez was not a world champion, but he was always close to Verstappen. He was a driver who was on the podium, he helped Max to the world championship, when he held back Lewis Hamilton," Schumacher stated. He acknowledged a decline in the most recent season but stressed Perez's past strength. "Even when Verstappen wasn't there, he was close. And last year was really, really bad. And before that, you have to say, the gap got much, much bigger towards the end. Now you can say, yes, the others didn't fare much better. But I'm saying, it will be interesting to find out what level he's at."
What Perez said:
Perez himself has spoken about the immense pressure he felt and the difficulties he faced with the Red Bull car, specifically the tricky driving style demanded by the RB20, which he described as often ‘undriveable’ for his style.