Perez says Red bull was a nightmare

Constant pressure inside Red Bull

According to Sky Sports F1, Sergio Perez has opened up about the internal strain he experienced while driving for Formula One’s most dominant team. Speaking on Osa Trava’s Cracks podcast, Perez explained that performance was only part of the equation at Red Bull Racing.

He described a working environment shaped by expectation, comparison, and tension, where results were scrutinized beyond lap times or finishing positions.

“At Red Bull, everything was a problem,” Perez said. “If I was too fast, it was a problem, because it created a very tense atmosphere at Red Bull.”

Trapped by comparison

Perez said the constant reference point was his team mate Max Verstappen, the multiple world champion around whom the team was built. According to Sky Sports F1’s reporting, Perez felt there was no acceptable middle ground.

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“If I was faster than Max, it was a problem. If I was slower than Max, it was a problem,” Perez said.

The comments highlight the difficulty faced by drivers competing in teams with a clear hierarchy, where internal dynamics can outweigh pure performance.

Lessons from a difficult chapter

Despite the frustration, Perez said the experience forced him to change how he approaches pressure and criticism. He explained that the situation ultimately helped him mature as a professional.

“So everything was a problem. I also learned a lot,” Perez said. “In the circumstances I’m in, instead of complaining, I have to do the best I can and get the most out of it.”

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According to the Cracks podcast, Perez spoke openly about learning to adapt mentally rather than resist situations he could not control.

Life as a second driver in a title team

Perez’s reflections shed light on the hidden cost of competing at the front of Formula One. His account illustrates how success inside elite teams can bring intense internal pressure, especially for drivers measured constantly against a dominant champion.

Sources: Sky Sports F1, Osa Trava’s Cracks podcast

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