Sergio Pérez has described his final six months at Red Bull as “toxic,” admitting the team’s dominant period triggered internal friction that strained his mental game.
Red Bull’s Winning Streak Turns Inward
During his four‑year run beside Max Verstappen, the Milton Keynes outfit secured two Constructors’ titles (2022, 2023) while Verstappen collected four Drivers’ crowns. Yet Pérez said that the pressure to preserve success bred boredom and discord among team members.
From Internal Tension to a Year‑Long Hiatus
“The last six months were very tough, even for someone mentally strong,” he told the High Performance podcast. “I wanted a break, so the year off came at the right time.” The comments came just as Red Bull announced 2025 single‑seat replacements: Liam Lawson for the opening two rounds before Yuki Tsunoda returned to Racing Bulls.
A New chapter with Cadillac in 2026
Pérez has signed with the newly‑joined Cadillac team, joining former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. He noted uncertainty about re‑entering F1 after leaving the grid, saying he did not know at the time whether he would come back, but remained grateful for the experience.
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