Sergio Perez addresses constant Red Bull complaints: 'Everything was a problem'

Sergio Perez has addressed his time racing for Red Bull and the constant complaints he received, saying that "everything was a problem."

Perez joined Red Bull at the start of the 2021 season to replace Alex Albon, before the Mexican driver parted ways with the Milton Keynes-based outfit at the end of 2024.

However, he will return to F1 this year, having joined Cadillac on a multi-year contract, where he will partner Valtteri Bottas.

For Perez, it offers a chance to end his career on a high, having reached an incredible low in his final season with Red Bull.

Initially, Perez impressed alongside Max Verstappen, occasionally beating the four-time world champion.

In 2023, the 35-year-old finished second in the standings  – behind the Dutchman – to secure Red Bull its first one-two in the drivers' championship.

Ultimately, it all went wrong for Perez after an initially strong start to 2024, with a consistent run of poor performances leading to his split with Red Bull.

Discussing what happened at Red Bull, Perez told the Crack podcast: "We had the best team. Unfortunately everything fell apart. We had the team to dominate the sport for the next 10 years, I think. 

"And unfortunately it all ended, but I was in the best team, in a complicated team, right? Because being Max’s team-mate at Red Bull is already very difficult, but being Max’s team-mate at Red Bull is the best and the worst job in F1, by far. 

"And well, everyone forgot, right? When I arrived at Red Bull, I started getting results, everything. Everyone forgot how difficult it was to be in that seat. 

"And I was very aware of what I was getting into – I wasn’t arriving at Red Bull to compete against one of the best."

Perez's Red Bull dilemma

Like the vast majority of drivers to partner Verstappen, Perez struggled to match the 28-year-old on a regular basis.

During his time with Red Bull, Perez's main difficulties arose when upgrades were introduced, as they had been tailored to Verstappen's driving style.

Perez's best results often came in the opening rounds, when the car was at its heaviest and gave him added confidence.

According to the returning driver, beating Verstappen caused tension within the Red Bull camp, with everything he did creating problems.

Asked what he was doing wrong at Red Bull, Perez responded: "Everything, pretty much everything. At Red Bull everything was a problem. If I was very fast, it was a problem.

"Because, of course, it created a very tense environment at Red Bull. If I was faster than Max, it was a problem. If I was slower than Max, it was a problem. So everything was a problem.

"So I also learned a lot, right? That, well, the circumstances I’m in, instead of complaining, I have to make the best of it and get the most out of it."