Sergio Perez believes “no driver can survive” at Red Bull following his difficult run of form at the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Perez joined Red Bull in 2021. After finishing a distant second to Max Verstappen in the drivers' championship in 2023, his results spiralled last year, leading to his exit at the end of the season.
Red Bull opted to bring Liam Lawson on board to partner Verstappen. The New Zealander, however, lasted just two rounds before being dropped in favour of Yuki Tsunoda, who has endured challenges of his own behind the wheel.
Perez, who will return to the grid next year with Cadillac, has empathy for the Red Bull pair who struggled after him.
“I don't like criticising the drivers that are there, because I was in that position,” Perez told Sky F1. “I know what exactly they're going through.
“The minute I signed my exit with Red Bull, when we came to an agreement, I [thought] ‘That poor guy who comes here’.”
Isack Hadjar is being heavily linked with a promotion to Red Bull next year amid a positive rookie campaign.
However, Perez suggested it would be a wrong move for the Frenchman as he insisted no driver on the grid would be up to the task of occupying the second seat at the team alongside Verstappen.
“It's a very difficult place,” Perez said. “Obviously, being next to Max is very difficult, but being next to Max in Red Bull, it's something people don't understand.
“There are so many things that I could tell you, but it's simply just a very difficult job for a driver. There is no driver that can survive there.
“It doesn't matter if you bring [Lewis] Hamilton or [Charles] Leclerc - whoever you bring there is going to struggle massively.”
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