6x F1 race winner says even Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc would struggle alongside Max Verstappen in the 2nd Red Bull seat

Six-time race winner Sergio Perez opened up about the difficulties of being a teammate to Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Perez, a former Red Bull driver himself, stated that even the likes of Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc will not be a match for Verstappen at the Austrian team.

Perez had been a Red Bull driver for four seasons, from 2021 to 2024. This was when he raced alongside Verstappen and understood how tough it was to match the four-time world champion at the Milton Keynes-based team.

Speaking from his own experience, Perez stated that it was hard to keep up with the Dutch driver. Speaking on the same line, Perez informed that Red Bull prepares the car according to Verstappen's direction, which gives him an extra edge over others.

"There's no driver who would survive there," Perez said, via Sky Sports. "It makes no difference whether you get Hamilton or Leclerc. Everyone would have massive problems."

"Red Bull builds cars entirely around Max’s preferences. His driving style is extremely specific, and the setup is tailored completely to him. You constantly have to adapt to his needs that’s just how it is.”

Max Verstappen has been the most dominant driver in Red Bull in history. He arrived to race for the Austrian team in 2016, and was beaten only once in the last 10 years under full-time obligation.

In 2017, Daniel Ricciardo got the best of him when he finished the season in P5 of the Drivers' Championship, compared to Verstappen's P7. As for Perez, he finished second to Max Verstappen in all four seasons he raced at Red Bull.

---

Max Verstappen content after claiming podium at Mexico GP

Max Verstappen of Red Bull at the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Source: Getty Images

Max Verstappen let his feelings be known after claiming the podium at the Mexico GP. Speaking to the media, the Dutchman said, via Formula1:

"We had a good final stint, I was enjoying that, I think the pace was a little bit more competitive compared to all the cars around me – except McLaren, I would say. I personally didn't expect to be on the podium today. I think the whole weekend has just been quite difficult but I think all-in-all, to be on the podium has been positive."

Verstappen started his race from P5 but finished in P3. With this, he increased his tally in the Drivers' Championship to 321 points after 20 races and four sprints. He is trailing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri by 36, and 35 points, respectively.