Being Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing is widely regarded as one of the toughest roles in Formula One. Sergio Pérez and his predecessors have all faced immense challenges, often to their detriment. The difficulties go far beyond Verstappen’s natural driving talent, delving into team dynamics, car setups, and the high expectations at Red Bull.
Max Verstappen’s exceptional skills and consistent performances have made him a four-time world champion. His ability to extract the maximum from his car sets a benchmark that few can match. For teammates, this dominance creates a constant pressure to perform, often resulting in comparisons that highlight their weaknesses rather than their strengths.
In the 2024 season, Sergio Pérez struggled significantly, scoring only 21 points in 10 races—a stark contrast to Verstappen’s results. This performance gap underscored how difficult it is to thrive alongside a driver of Verstappen’s caliber.
Red Bull Racing is a team that prioritizes winning championships—both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles. Teammates are expected to support Verstappen while contributing valuable points for the team. However, maintaining this balance is no easy task.
In 2024, Red Bull’s hopes for a Constructors’ Championship faltered, finishing third behind McLaren and Ferrari. Much of the blame fell on Pérez, whose inconsistencies cost the team crucial points. These high expectations make the role even more demanding, as any shortcomings are heavily scrutinized.
Red Bull’s cars are often tailored to Verstappen’s driving style, which poses challenges for teammates trying to adapt. The RB20, designed with Verstappen’s precision in mind, proved particularly difficult for Pérez to master. Persistent setup issues and mechanical problems further hampered his performance.
Unlike Verstappen, who thrives in a high-downforce, sharp-handling car, Pérez struggled to find a comfortable balance, leading to inconsistent lap times and race results. This highlights how the technical dynamics of the team can exacerbate the difficulties of being Verstappen’s partner.
Sharing a garage with Verstappen means facing internal rivalries and psychological pressure. One key incident occurred during the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix, when Verstappen refused team orders to let Pérez pass, exposing tensions within the team.
Such incidents create a stressful environment, where teammates not only compete with rival drivers but also battle for status within their own team. Managing these rivalries while meeting performance demands makes the role exceptionally challenging.
Being Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate is arguably Formula One’s hardest job. It demands exceptional skill, mental resilience, and the ability to adapt to team politics and technical constraints. While Sergio Pérez has experienced both success and setbacks, his struggles reflect the daunting reality of racing alongside one of the sport’s greatest talents. For any future Red Bull teammate, the challenges are clear—and the expectations are even clearer.
