Former Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez has offered a detailed perspective on his four-year tenure alongside Max Verstappen at the Milton Keynes outfit. Pérez, who competed for Red Bull from 2021 to 2024, recently discussed the challenges of partnering the four-time world champion.
Pérez stated that confronting Verstappen at Red Bull represented the most formidable challenge in Formula 1. He indicated that Verstappen received preferential access to engineering resources and experienced personnel within the team.
The Mexican driver recounted a direct conversation with former team principal Christian Horner upon joining, where Horner explicitly stated that Red Bull operates two cars out of necessity, with the entire project centered around Verstappen.
Pérez acknowledged this reality from the outset, choosing to focus on maximising his own performance rather than complaining. He maintained the same engineering team throughout his four seasons at Red Bull.
Following his departure from Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season, Pérez took a sabbatical in 2025. He has since returned to Formula 1 for the 2026 season with the new Cadillac team.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has voiced strong criticism regarding the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations. He described the new rules as ‘terrible’ and likened the racing to ‘Mario Kart,’ suggesting that those who enjoy it ‘don’t know what racing is about.’
The 2026 regulations feature lighter cars, active aerodynamics with ‘straight mode’ and ‘corner mode’, and a significantly increased electrical power component, aiming for a near 50:50 split with the internal combustion engine.
Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has confirmed the existence of exit clauses in Verstappen’s Red Bull contract, which runs until the end of 2028. Vermeulen indicated that Verstappen desires to remain with Red Bull but requires a competitive car.
This comes amidst a challenging start to the 2026 season for Red Bull, with Verstappen currently positioned seventh in the drivers’ standings. Vermeulen is also contemplating the end of his career, focusing on establishing Verstappen Racing for Max’s future outside F1.
Fernando Alonso has publicly stated his belief that Max Verstappen is currently the best driver in Formula 1.
In other racing ventures, Max Verstappen recently participated in the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring. He competed with Verstappen Racing, fielding a Mercedes-AMG GT3, alongside teammate Dani Juncadella.
Verstappen’s debut in the endurance event concluded prematurely due to a mechanical fault, specifically a driveshaft failure, after his team had taken the lead. He is expected to compete in the event again in 2027.
The Formula 1 calendar continues this week with the Belgian Grand Prix, scheduled from July 17 to 19, 2026. This event at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps marks the tenth round of the current season.
The race weekend follows a break in the schedule, with the British Grand Prix having taken place on July 5, 2026. The Belgian Grand Prix is the penultimate race before the sport’s month-long summer break.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has intensified his campaign against multi-team ownership in Formula 1. He has formally written to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, advocating for the outlawing of such alliances.
Brown argues that these arrangements compromise sporting integrity and create unfair advantages, citing Red Bull’s ownership of Racing Bulls as a primary example. He referenced Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, which took a crucial point from Lando Norris and aided Verstappen’s title bid.
Red Bull Racing has also undergone significant internal changes. Mark Mateschitz, co-owner of Red Bull GmbH, has been involved in discussions regarding Verstappen’s future.
The team announced a technical reshuffle in April 2026, promoting Ben Waterhouse to Chief Performance and Design Engineer and bringing in Andrea Landi as Head of Performance. These changes follow a challenging start to the 2026 season and the departures of key figures like Christian Horner and Helmut Marko in 2025.
Former Formula 1 driver Logan Sargeant is currently competing in the LMGT3 class of the World Endurance Championship for the Ford team.
