In a remarkably candid interview, former Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez has detailed the intense pressures and internal politics that defined his final seasons with the championship-winning team. The Mexican star, who left the squad at the end of the 2024 season, lifted the lid on a series of explosive revelations ahead of his planned Formula 1 return in 2026.
Allegations of Unequal Treatment and Withheld Upgrades
One of the most striking claims from Perez centres on the performance of his car compared to that of his triple-world champion teammate, Max Verstappen. Perez asserted that he was not fighting Verstappen with equal machinery. According to his account, the team stopped providing his side of the garage with car upgrades following a crash with Carlos Sainz at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. From that point onward, all developmental improvements were allegedly directed solely to Verstappen's car, creating a significant performance disparity.
Revealing Conversations and a 'Problematic' Atmosphere
Perez also recounted a telling discussion with then-team principal Christian Horner before his departure. Questioning the team's contingency plan, Perez asked what would happen if his potential replacement, Liam Lawson, struggled to match Verstappen's results. Horner reportedly pointed to Yuki Tsunoda as the next option, implicitly accepting that any driver could be ousted for failing to keep pace with the Dutch star.
The six-time Grand Prix winner described a perpetually tense environment within the camp. "Everything was a problem," Perez stated. "If I was faster [than Verstappen], it was a problem. It created a very tense atmosphere; if I was slower than Max, it was a problem." This dynamic, he suggested, made his position increasingly untenable regardless of his on-track results.
Psychological Support and a Fresh Start with Cadillac
As his performance began to waver, the team referred Perez to a sports psychologist. The session came with a substantial £6,000 bill for just a single consultation. While initially perhaps reluctant, Perez later became more open to seeking professional support during the peak of his struggles.
Now looking ahead, Sergio Perez is preparing for a comeback with a renewed perspective. He is set to return to the F1 grid in 2026 with the new Cadillac project. Emphasising a changed outlook, the Guadalajara-born driver spoke of his desire to "enjoy this stage with my family, with my children" and to adopt a more relaxed approach to the challenges of a debut campaign. His revelations paint a vivid picture of the immense pressures at the pinnacle of motorsport and his journey beyond them.
