Being Verstappen's Sidekick? Not Even Hamilton Could Survive: Sergio Perez Opens Up On Red Bull Racing Past

Last Updated:October 27, 2025, 16:14 IST

Sergio Pérez says being Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate is tough, claiming even Hamilton or Leclerc would struggle with the pressure of the second seat.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, back when they were teammates at Red Bull Racing (X)

It’s no secret that being Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull is a career hazard, and Sergio Pérez knows that better than anyone.

The Mexican opened up about the brutal reality of life alongside the reigning four-time World Champion, claiming even the likes of Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc would “struggle massively" in the same seat.

“It’s Just a Very Difficult Place"

Speaking during his home race weekend in Mexico, Pérez reflected on the mental and competitive toll of his Red Bull stint:

“The minute I signed my exit with Red Bull, I knew — poor guy who comes here next. Because I managed to survive. It’s a very difficult place," he told Sky Sports F1.

“Being next to Max is already difficult. But being next to Max at Red Bull, that’s something people don’t understand. There are so many things I could tell you about it. It’s just a very difficult job for a driver."

“No Driver Could Survive There"

Pérez, who will return to Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac, didn’t hold back when asked whether anyone could thrive alongside Verstappen:

“There is no driver who could survive there. It doesn’t matter if you bring Hamilton or Leclerc, they’re going to struggle massively," he said.

“As a driver, it’s really difficult because you have to think all the time about how to drive it. When you’re constantly thinking about that, you know what happens."

Red Bull’s Second-Seat Curse

Since Pérez’s exit, Red Bull’s revolving door has spun faster than ever. Liam Lawson lasted just two race weekends before being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda for the rest of 2025. Yet, neither has come close to Verstappen’s relentless pace.

Meanwhile, Verstappen remains firmly in the title fight — sitting third in the standings, 36 points behind new leader Lando Norris, with Oscar Piastri being vanquished to second, just a single point behind the Briton, after Mexico.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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