What Went Wrong Between Sergio Perez and Red Bull Before His Move to Cadillac?

Sergio Perez’s departure from Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season was more than a change of teams—it marked a dramatic shift in a once-thriving partnership. His exit came amid struggles with a red-hot car designed for Max Verstappen’s driving style, intensifying media scrutiny, and significant internal upheaval within the team.

A car built for one, unmanageable for others

Pérez publicly described the Red Bull RB20 as “peaky”, designed heavily around Verstappen’s aggressive oversteering style. According to Autosport, he warned that the car became “undriveable” for anyone not sharing Verstappen’s preferences.

Echoing that view, Motorsport reported that Perez felt he had “survived for many years” adapting to the car’s quirks—something few teammates before or after could manage.

The weight of media pressure

Beyond technical challenges, Pérez criticized the relentless narrative surrounding his future. He indicated that even after signing a contract extension in Monaco, speculation about his seat status remained pervasive—creating pressure that permeated beyond his cockpit and into the engineering team.

“When I signed the contract…it would have been so easy for them to protect me. In the end, there was a lot of pressure… a pressure that they themselves ended up generating,” Perez told TalkSport.

Team structure shaken by key departures

Pérez also flagged internal shifts as a root cause of his difficulties. He traced the team’s decline to the departure of legendary car designer Adrian Newey, stating:

“When Adrian Newey left Red Bull, the problems started” (TalkSport).

This comment hinted at the importance of stability in personnel—not just machinery.

Reputational validation and looking ahead

His claims gained weight when successors Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda also struggled in the same unforgiving seat, reinforcing Perez’s reputation as Verstappen’s most resilient teammate since Daniel Ricciardo (Motorsport).

At a Cadillac launch event, Sergio Pérez  struck a different tone:

“I feel like there’s nothing to prove… it’s more of a comeback to enjoy the sport that I love” (Motorsport).

Sergio Pérez’s fresh start with Cadillac: A new chapter

With his reputation intact, Pérez is now charting a fresh course with Cadillac’s F1 debut in 2026. Partnered with Valtteri Bottas, he will anchor a project that promises autonomy, a collaborative development ethos, and the chance to end his career on his own terms (Reuters