Sergio Perez's Stark Warning: 'No Driver Can Survive' at Red Bull

Sergio Perez has issued a blunt assessment of the second Red Bull seat, claiming that "no driver can survive" alongside Max Verstappen at the Milton Keynes-based team. Perez, who is set to return to F1 with Cadillac next year, reflected on his own challenging tenure and expressed empathy for the drivers who have followed him in the demanding role.

Why it matters:

Perez's strong remarks highlight the immense pressure and unique difficulties faced by drivers partnered with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. His perspective, coming from a driver who spent three seasons in that very seat, offers a rare glimpse into the internal dynamics and expectations that make the role so challenging.

The details:

• Perez's Experience: Sergio Perez joined Red Bull in 2021. After finishing a distant second to Verstappen in 2023, his performance reportedly declined, leading to his departure at the end of that season.
• Successors' Struggles: Red Bull initially brought in Liam Lawson, who lasted only two rounds before being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda has also faced his own set of challenges in the car.
• Empathy for Others: Perez expressed sympathy for Lawson and Tsunoda, stating to Sky F1, "I don't like criticising the drivers that are there, because I was in that position. I know what exactly they're going through."
• The 'Poor Guy': Perez recounted his thoughts upon his Red Bull exit, saying, "The minute I signed my exit with Red Bull, when we came to an agreement, I [thought] 'That poor guy who comes here.'"
• Universal Struggle: Perez believes no driver on the grid, not even top talents like Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc, would be able to consistently perform in the second Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen without significant struggle.
  • He emphasized, "It's a very difficult place. Obviously, being next to Max is very difficult, but being next to Max in Red Bull, it's something people don't understand."
  • Perez added, "There is no driver that can survive there. It doesn't matter if you bring [Lewis] Hamilton or [Charles] Leclerc - whoever you bring there is going to struggle massively."

Between the lines:

Perez's comments suggest that the difficulties extend beyond just comparing to Verstappen's exceptional talent. There might be deeper, unstated factors within the Red Bull environment—perhaps related to car development focus or team dynamics—that make the second seat uniquely demanding. His warning could be a cautionary tale for aspiring Red Bull drivers, including Isack Hadjar, who is currently linked with a promotion.

What's next:

With speculation around who will partner Verstappen in the future, Perez's strong statements may add to the pressure on potential candidates. While Isack Hadjar is reportedly a contender, his team's management will undoubtedly weigh such warnings. Red Bull's challenge will be to find a driver who can not only deliver results but also navigate the unique pressures of the second seat, a task Perez suggests is insurmountable for anyone.