Perez Claims No Driver Can Match Verstappen Speed At Red Bull

Sergio Perez, who drove alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull from 2021 to 2024, has emphasized the immense difficulty of being Verstappen's teammate, stating that even elite drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc would "struggle massively" in the role due to Verstappen's unique and aggressive driving style. Perez highlighted that the Red Bull car is specifically tailored to Verstappen's needs, making it challenging for any second driver to perform well, as reflected in the brief and difficult tenures of subsequent teammates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. Despite Perez's own successes, including five race wins and contributing to Verstappen's four consecutive world titles, he acknowledged the harsh reality and pressure of the seat, describing it as a "very difficult job" that no driver can truly survive. He also noted the team's operational focus on Verstappen, which compounds the challenge for any teammate. Perez will return to Formula 1 in 2026 with the Cadillac team, but his candid remarks underline Verstappen's dominance and the competitive imbalance his presence creates within Red Bull Racing. These insights collectively reveal the exceptional nature of Verstappen's role and the significant obstacles faced by those racing alongside him.