Sergio Perez Calls Out Toxic Fan Culture and Exposes the Reality of Red Bull

If you thought the drama surrounding Sergio Perez would die down just because he’s taking a sabbatical in 2025, think again. The Mexican driver, fresh off a rollercoaster stint with Red Bull Racing, has decided to completely uncork his feelings regarding his home country’s fanbase and the absolute pressure cooker that is being Max Verstappen’s teammate. In a recent appearance on the CRACKS podcast, Perez didn’t just spill the tea; he smashed the whole teapot. It’s a side of Checo we don’t always get to see—raw, frustrated, and a little bit over it.

We all know F1 fans are passionate. However, according to Perez, the “passion” originating from his home turf in Mexico often crosses the line into outright toxicity. It’s a harsh truth to swallow, especially considering how the Mexican Grand Prix is essentially a massive festival dedicated to him. But Checo isn’t feeling the love from the online crowd.

He drew a pretty stinging comparison between his own fanbase and the way Argentine fans are currently rallying around rookie Franco Colapinto. While Argentina seems united in wholesome support for their new star, Perez feels the Mexican fanbase is busy tearing their own icons down. He dropped a quote that is honestly going to live rent-free in my head for a while: “They stand with their hands in their sides talking about you, criticizing your lack of professionalism, while they themselves are eating chips behind a computer and do not know what they are talking about.”

There is something incredibly human and hilarious about a world-class athlete visualizing his haters covered in chip dust while typing angry tweets. But you can feel the genuine hurt there, too. It’s the classic “crabs in a bucket” mentality—rather than lifting each other up, he feels his compatriots are looking for reasons to drag him down. He’s calling for a culture shift, hoping the next generation of fans learns to support athletes (and each other) rather than nitpicking every error from the comfort of a gaming chair.

1. The Red Bull Confession: It Was Always Max’s Team

If ripping into the fans wasn’t enough, Perez turned his sights on his former employer. For years, conspiracy theorists and casuals who drive to survive have argued that Red Bull is designed solely for Max Verstappen. Well, Checo just confirmed it. He described being Max’s teammate as the “worst job in Formula One, by far.” And honestly? Looking at the graveyard of careers at that second Red Bull seat (Gasly, Albon, and now Checo), it’s hard to argue with him. Perez claims the hierarchy was made crystal clear by Christian Horner from day one. He wasn’t walking into a partnership; he was walking into a supporting role in the Max Verstappen Show. He recalled Horner telling him explicitly that the project was “created for Max.” That has to be a gut punch for a competitive driver. You spend your whole life fighting to get to a top team, only to be told the car, the strategy, and the philosophy are tailored to the guy in the other garage.

2. Why Being Max’s Teammate Was a Losing Battle for Perez

The most damning part of the interview was Perez’s description of the team’s no-win situation. It sounds like a psychological nightmare. According to Perez, the atmosphere was tense regardless of how he performed. If he was slow? Problem. If he was fast? Additionally, it posed a problem because it threatened the established order. If he was actually faster than Max? A disaster for the team dynamic. “If I was faster than Max, it was a problem. If I was slower than Max, it was a problem… Unfortunately, everything was destroyed.” He believes the team had the potential to dominate for a decade, but the internal friction—fueled by this one-sided dynamic—caused the whole thing to unravel. It’s a fascinating look behind the curtain. We usually get the PR-sanitized version of “we win and lose as a team,” but Perez is painting a picture of a garage divided, where his success caused just as much anxiety as his failure.

3. Looking Ahead: Cadillac and a Fresh Start in 2026

So, what’s next for the veteran? Perez is off the grid for 2025, having been replaced by the Lawson/Tsunoda shuffle as Red Bull tries to figure out its next move. But he’s not retiring to eat chips behind a computer just yet. He’s signed on with the new Cadillac F1 team for 2026. It’s a massive gamble, but also a massive opportunity. For the first time in years, Perez might walk into a garage that actually wants to build something with him, rather than just using him as a buffer for a generational talent. Until then, he’s clearly enjoying the freedom of speaking his mind. And honestly, after surviving the “worst job in F1,” he’s earned the right to complain about the chip-eaters.

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