Max Verstappen’s partnership with Sergio Perez was the longest of his Formula 1 career. They raced together for four seasons, with Verstappen sweeping the titles.
Red Bull also won two constructors’ championships over the 90-race span. Verstappen’s partnership with Daniel Ricciardo is remembered fondly, but it only lasted 58 Grands Prix.
Aside from that, his teammates have had short stints. Alex Albon only lasted 26 races, Pierre Gasly 12 and Liam Lawson, remarkably, just three.
At this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda will become the fifth different driver to occupy the second seat since Ricciardo’s 2018 exit. Verstappen opposed Lawson’s exit because he believed it was a distraction from the team’s fundamental issues.
The 27-year-old is only eight points behind championship leader Lando Norris after two races. But Verstappen says Racing Bulls have a better car than Red Bull right now, such is the uncompliant nature of the RB21.
Max Verstappen has been forced to change his driving style, Sergio Perez’s father says
Speaking on the Formula de 2 podcast, Perez’s father Antonio suggested that Verstappen had been forced to rein in his aggression this year. He can’t take the RB21 ‘to the limit’.
Perez Sr says the car’s handling problems are so profound that Verstappen faces ‘disaster’ – i.e. a serious accident – if he pushes too hard. That’s a damning indictment.
Verstappen hauled the Red Bull to second place at the Australian Grand Prix and rallied late on in China to take fourth. He was also third in the Shanghai Sprint.
“You realise that Max no longer drives the Red Bull like he did in previous years,” Perez Sr said. “If Max tries to take the Red Bull to the limit, a disaster could happen.”
Perez accumulated one of the highest repair bills on the grid last season after multiple incidents. He crashed out in Monaco, Canada and Azerbaijan.
Antonio Perez drops Yuki Tsunoda bombshell before his Red Bull debut
Lawson has made Perez look ‘very good’, according to Cadillac’s Mario Andretti. His father sounded like a man who’d been vindicated during his podcast appearance.
If Tsunoda struggles in the same vein as his predecessors, it will be taken as firm proof that Red Bull’s issues go beyond individual failings. The team are perhaps overly reliant on Verstappen’s unique talents.
It’s said that Red Bull ignored Adrian Newey’s advice for this year’s car, prioritising peak performance over driveability. One can see how that may set them up for trouble.
Perez’s dad claims Red Bull’s cars aren’t equal and is worried about Tsunoda as a result. He’s called for Christian Horner to give him the tools to properly compete at his home race on Sunday.
Leave feedback about this