Sergio Pérez has offered insight into the internal dynamics at Red Bull Racing during his four seasons as Max Verstappen’s teammate. The Mexican driver, now competing with Cadillac, described the experience as the ‘toughest challenge’ in Formula 1.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Pérez stated that ‘everything goes to Max’ within the Red Bull structure. This included access to the most experienced engineering resources and technical opportunities.
Pérez recounted a conversation with former Team Principal Christian Horner. Horner reportedly told him Red Bull would ‘be super happy just to race with one car’ if regulations permitted.
Horner further clarified that ‘everything is for Max, around Max’ to secure championships. Pérez acknowledged this understanding before joining the team in 2021.
Despite the inherent challenges, Pérez maintains that he ‘overdelivered’ during his tenure. He views his time at Red Bull as a positive, stating it made him a faster driver.
Red Bull Racing is currently navigating a difficult 2026 Formula 1 season. The team sits sixth in the constructors’ standings after a challenging start to the year.
Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, is currently seventh in the drivers’ championship. He trails leader Kimi Antonelli by over 100 points.
Verstappen has voiced significant frustration with the RB22 car. He described it as ‘incredibly tough to drive’ due to persistent power unit issues and excessive tyre degradation.
The Dutchman also experienced two rear wing failures in consecutive races, including an incident at Silverstone. This has added to the team’s technical concerns.
A public disagreement arose at Silverstone when Verstappen requested a power unit change. Red Bull declined, citing that the costs outweighed the potential benefits.
Speculation continues regarding Verstappen’s future beyond his current contract, which runs until 2028. An exit clause reportedly allows him to leave if he falls outside the top two in the championship by the summer break.
Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Waché has addressed these concerns. Waché insists Verstappen is not losing faith, believing the team can still provide a winning car.
The team’s current struggles follow the departure of Christian Horner in July 2025. Horner was axed for performance reasons, and a subsequent talent drain has been noted.
Laurent Mekies now serves as Red Bull Team Principal. The Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine, while showing early pace, has faced reliability issues this season.
An FIA ruling under the ADUO system judged the Red Bull engine as the strongest early in 2026. However, this decision renders the team ineligible for engine upgrades this year.
Verstappen has expressed doubts about the power unit’s performance. He noted particular difficulties on circuits with significant energy limitations.
