Sergio Perez opens up on Red Bull nightmare: “The car is built only for Max – it will never change. Sergio Perez has lifted the lid on his emotional farewell to Christian Horner.

Sergio Perez reveals final words to Christian Horner before Red Bull exit – and why every teammate of Verstappen is doomed

Almost a year after his Red Bull departure was confirmed, Sergio Perez has finally shared the exact words he said to Christian Horner in their last conversation – and they were equal parts gratitude and warning.

Speaking in Mexico City ahead of his new chapter with the Cadillac F1 project in 2026, Sergio Perez recalled the moment he knew his time at Milton Keynes was over: “Thank you so much for everything. And I feel really sorry for whoever comes here next, because it’s going to cost them a lot.”

The Mexican joined Red Bull in 2021 fully aware he was stepping into a team built entirely around Max Verstappen. From day one he understood the car would evolve to suit the Dutchman’s driving style – a reality that hasn’t changed for Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, or anyone who follows.

“I knew from the very first day we had to be smart,” Sergio Perez explained. “I knew the role I had, I knew this project was developed for Max Verstappen. When I arrived I started making them nervous, but I knew there were a lot of interests at play and I couldn’t take on the whole system.”

Despite repeated attempts to shift development direction, the story stayed the same every season. Sergio Perez believes the RB cars remain among the most peaky and difficult on the grid when you’re not the lead driver they’re designed for: “What happened at Red Bull, in the end, I knew it was the best thing that could have happened to me,” he continued. “Because staying at Red Bull and the conditions I was in were very demanding. And all the drivers who came and all the ones who will come will keep having the same problems because it’s a very complex car to drive, where you constantly have to adapt to Verstappen’s style.”

Respect for Verstappen – but pity for his teammates

Sergio Perez has nothing but admiration for his former team-mate: “I think he will become the best driver in the history of the sport; the Red Bull project is made for him.”

Yet he pointed out a harsh truth few in the media seem to acknowledge: “I had to be smart, think about the future and see how things go. Drivers have short careers and today nobody remembers you have a second driver.”

As Max Verstappen closes in on a fifth straight title, the spotlight remains solely on the #1 car. Perez’s successors have struggled to match him, and Checo’s warning is clear – unless Red Bull radically changes its philosophy, the second seat will always be one of the toughest gigs in Formula 1.

For Sergio Perez, leaving wasn’t the end. It was liberation.