Sergio Perez explained what is so difficult about driving in Red Bull’s second seat.
Sergio Perez, a former Red Bull driver, will drive for Cadillac next season alongside Valtteri Bottas. He represents a steady pair of hands for the 11th team on the grid as they look to find their feet in Formula One.
The Mexican is a six-time race winner who made his F1 debut 14 years ago. However, Perez’s Red Bull career ended dismally, leaving him without a seat for the 2025 season. Red Bull’s second seat problems are well-documented, and Perez revealed what is so challenging about driving as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
Sergio Perez explains why Red Bull’s second car is ‘undrivable’
Red Bull has not found a solution to their second seat woes since Daniel Ricciardo left the team in 2019. Talented drivers, including Perez, have tried and failed to match four-time world champion Verstappen’s pace in the car.
In 2024, Perez finished 8th in the Drivers’ Championship, had no wins or pole positions, and had only four podiums. Meanwhile, Verstappen won the Drivers’ Championship.
Reports indicate that Red Bull favour Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, with a “pointy” front end which generates an excess of oversteer. The Dutchman can manage the car, but his teammates have been unable to.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Perez explained why he, and so many others, have struggled to drive the car.
He said, “It’s the whole dynamics of the team. Everything is driven by the unique talent they have over there with Max. When you get there, the development curve makes it very difficult for the second driver to adapt to the car.
“It’s a very unique car that needs a very unique driving style. I managed to survive for many years, but it’s difficult. You’ve seen it with great drivers before and after my time. Yuki and Liam have scored five points or something like that.”
Liam Lawson lasted two races at Red Bull and didn’t score a point; meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda has amassed only seven points in the seat since then.
He continued, “It is very difficult, very tricky, and they’re fantastic drivers. It’s just the way it is to drive it. It’s a very unique driving style. Sometimes I could cope with it, but as soon as there was a variable with the wind or the rain, it became undrivable.”
With Red Bull’s recent change at the top of the team, there’s hope that things can change.
Christian Horner’s firing could be the beginning of the end of Red Bull’s second seat curse
Former Team Principal Christian Horner took a career gamble by bringing Verstappen to Red Bull. He promoted him at 18 years old, replacing the experienced Daniel Kvyat. And he was immediately proven right as Verstappen took his maiden win in his first Red Bull race.
Since then, Horner favoured Verstappen. He designed the car to his liking and gave him every opportunity to win. Again, he was proven right, as Verstappen won four championships, and the team won two Constructors’ titles.
But as the car slowed down, the team’s second seat grew in importance. Perez’s pace cost Red Bull the Constructors’ title in 2024. This season, Red Bull fired Horner and promoted Racing Bulls’ Team Principal Laurent Mekies.
Mekies worked with both Tsunoda and Lawson at Racing Bulls, and is likely to fight their corner at Red Bull.
There is hope that he can solve the curse for the team. Mekies set the tone early by upgrading Tsunoda’s car at Spa, giving him and Verstappen close to equal machinery. Tsunoda rewarded Mekies’ faith by qualifying seventh.
The Japanese driver hasn’t yet achieved the results expected of him since Mekies took over, but there is only so much the Frenchman can do with this car. The 2026 regulation changes will be the first clear indication of the team’s future direction.
If Mekies produces a car that is less tailored to Verstappen, then Red Bull’s second seat issues could be resolved.