Sergio Perez Finally Speaks on Max Verstappen and That ‘Ugly’ Red Bull Moment

It’s been a few years since the dust settled on the 2022 Formula 1 season, but some wounds never truly heal, especially when they involve team orders and bruised egos.

If you thought the drama at Red Bull was just media hype back then, think again. Sergio Perez has finally opened up about what really went down with Max Verstappen, and it sounds even more stressful than we imagined.

We all remember the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. It was the radio message heard ‘round the world. Red Bull, having already secured the championship, asked Verstappen to let Perez pass to help him secure second place in the standings against Charles Leclerc. Max said no. Emphatically. It was awkward, it was messy, and it left us all wondering what on earth was happening behind closed doors at Milton Keynes.

Now driving for Cadillac in 2026, Perez looks back at those chaotic years with the clarity of someone who has finally escaped a toxic relationship. And he’s not holding back on his former teammate.

1. Perez Reopens Old Wounds Regarding the 2022 Brazilian GP

According to Perez, the issue wasn’t just a miscommunication; it was a fundamental clash of personalities. Speaking on a recent podcast, the Mexican driver pointed directly to Verstappen’s temper as the catalyst. While Max is a wizard behind the wheel, his inability to handle things going wrong was a massive weak point. It’s fascinating to hear Perez describe it now. Back then, the PR machine was in overdrive, telling us everything was fine and that they had “discussed it internally.” However, Perez was clearly sitting on a great deal of severe frustration. He notes that the team thought they had moved past earlier issues (like the Spanish GP), only to be blindsided when Max’s “temper” flared up at Interlagos. It’s the classic “I thought we were cool” moment, only to realize your coworker definitely isn’t cool.

2. How Perez Views Verstappen’s Competitive Temperament

Here is where it gets interesting. Perez drops a bit of a bombshell about the duality of Max Verstappen. He describes Max as an “excellent person” outside the car, which tracks with the sim-racing, relaxed Max we see on Twitch. But once the helmet goes on? It’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Perez claims that Max “transforms” into a different person entirely when racing. This isn’t just about being competitive; it’s about a mindset that apparently doesn’t leave room for compromise. Perez admits that without this ruthless streak, Max wouldn’t be the champion he is, but it also made him a nightmare to work with when the chips were down. It’s a double-edged sword: the same fire that wins titles burns the bridges in the garage.

3. Why Perez Claims Being Max’s Teammate is the ‘Worst Job’ in F1

If you ever envied the guy in the second Red Bull seat, you should reconsider. Perez didn’t mince words when describing his tenure alongside the Dutchman. He flat-out called being Max’s teammate at Red Bull “the worst job in Formula 1, by far.” And can you blame him? Perez lasted longer than Gasly or Albon, racking up five wins and 29 podiums between 2021 and 2024. He helped bring home hardware. But he describes the pressure as relentless. The team was built around Max, the car was built around Max, and Perez was trying to survive in the ecosystem. There is a sense of genuine regret in Perez’s voice when he talks about the team’s potential. He believes Red Bull had the setup to “dominate the sport for the next 10 years,” but claims “everything fell apart.” That is a massive statement. It implies that the internal friction—likely fueled by that “worst job” environment—cost the team a decade-long dynasty. Now that Perez has moved on to Cadillac after taking a season off, he is in a much better headspace. He’s away from the constant scrutiny and the impossible task of matching Verstappen every weekend. The Red Bull era might be over for him, and their “cordial” relationship today suggests they’ve buried the hatchet, but these new comments prove that the scars of being the “number two” driver run deep. It’s a cautionary tale for anyone looking to sign that Red Bull contract: you might get a fast car, but you’re signing up for the toughest gig on the grid. At least now, Perez can drive without looking over his shoulder.

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