As Max Verstappen celebrated his fourth Formula One World Championship in 2024, his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, faced a much tougher reality. The 34-year-old Mexican driver endured one of the most challenging seasons of his career, marked by poor performances, growing criticism, and an uncertain future in Formula 1.
However, Verstappen has come to Perez’s defense, emphasizing that the veteran driver’s struggles were not entirely his fault. Instead, the Dutch racing star shifted the blame toward Red Bull Racing, pointing out the team’s role in Perez’s disappointing season.
Sergio Perez’s Challenging 2024 Campaign
Perez’s 2024 Formula One season has been far from smooth. The Red Bull driver, typically known for his consistency, failed to secure a single race win throughout the year, a stark contrast to Verstappen’s dominance with nine Grand Prix victories. Perez’s best results were limited to just four podium finishes, the most recent being at the Chinese Grand Prix in April.
As the season wore on, Perez’s performances continued to decline, culminating in his worst-ever finish, as he ended outside the top five in the driver standings. This underwhelming result significantly contributed to Red Bull losing the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren.
Max Verstappen Acknowledges the Challenges of the RB20
Speaking to Viaplay, Verstappen openly discussed the difficulties of driving the RB20, a car that even he struggled with at times. "It was difficult for Checo because we just had a very difficult car," Verstappen said. “You have to say that sometimes. The car just wasn’t working, and that was the biggest problem in the 2024 season.”
Despite Verstappen’s incredible performance in the car, which saw him extract maximum results, he admitted that the RB20’s design required an exceptional level of skill and adaptability. For a driver like Perez, whose driving style may not have been perfectly suited to the quirks of the car, this became a significant obstacle. Verstappen’s comments provide a deeper understanding of Perez’s underperformance, emphasizing that the blame shouldn’t be placed entirely on the driver’s shoulders.
Red Bull’s Delayed Response to Car Issues
Verstappen didn’t just criticize the car’s design; he also pointed out Red Bull's failure to address the car’s shortcomings in a timely manner. Verstappen suggested that if Red Bull had acted sooner to make the RB20 more manageable, Perez’s season could have been much better.
“That would have helped Checo a lot too, especially as he was second or third at the beginning of the season. And that was good,” Verstappen noted. Early in the season, Perez was performing well, but as the year progressed, the car’s handling issues worsened. Red Bull’s delayed response to these issues not only hurt Perez but also impacted the team's chances in the Constructors' Championship.
At one point, Red Bull led McLaren by 42 points in the constructors' standings, and Verstappen’s lead in the drivers' title was 78 points. However, with a condensed autumn schedule and multiple back-to-back races, the team struggled to address the car's issues, leading to a dramatic decline in performance.
Lack of Support
As the season continued, the lack of results began to take a psychological toll on Perez. Verstappen, who is no stranger to the mental challenges that come with competing at the highest level in Formula 1, acknowledged the strain a difficult season can place on a driver’s confidence.
“Once your confidence is dented, some people are more sensitive than others,” Verstappen remarked. He also added, “And yes, I don’t think we did our job perfectly as a team either.”
Verstappen's words shed light on the emotional and mental difficulties that Perez faced as the season wore on, particularly as his confidence waned amid poor results and mounting criticism.
What's ahead?
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that New Zealand driver Liam Lawson will take over from Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Lawson’s promotion was widely anticipated after Perez’s departure was announced the day prior. Lawson, 22, who has been part of Red Bull's junior program, will now join the senior team, a significant step in his career.