In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where milliseconds can make or break a driver’s career, the pressure to perform is immense. But for those who find themselves sharing a garage with the indomitable Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, the challenge is amplified tenfold. As Sergio Perez becomes the latest in a line of talented drivers to part ways with the team, we take a deep dive into the tumultuous history of Red Bull’s revolving door of second drivers.
The Ricciardo Era: A Rivalry Ignited
Daniel Ricciardo, the ever-smiling Australian, seemed poised for greatness when he joined Red Bull in 2014. Initially overshadowing his younger teammate, Ricciardo’s fortunes took a turn when a 17-year-old Verstappen burst onto the scene with a sensational victory in Spain. As the Dutchman’s star began to rise, cracks appeared in the once-harmonious partnership.
Tensions reached a boiling point in Hungary 2017, when a collision between the two left Ricciardo fuming. “Was that who I think it was?” he quipped over the radio, his middle finger raised in Verstappen’s direction. The incident marked a turning point, with Red Bull increasingly rallying around their prodigious talent.
Is he [Ricciardo] making the right career choice? My assumption is that he is running from a fight.
– Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal
Gasly’s Struggle: A Promising Talent Falters
Pierre Gasly, the highly-rated Frenchman, stepped into Ricciardo’s vacant seat with high hopes. But as the 2019 season unfolded, it became clear that he was struggling to adapt to a car that seemed tailor-made for Verstappen. A string of lackluster performances and costly mistakes left Gasly on thin ice.
The final straw came in Hungary, where Verstappen lapped his teammate for the second time in a month. Red Bull’s patience had run out, and Gasly found himself unceremoniously demoted back to the junior team, his dreams of glory alongside Verstappen shattered.
Albon’s Audition: A Fleeting Opportunity
Into the breach stepped Alex Albon, the soft-spoken Thai driver with just 12 races under his belt. Despite showing flashes of potential, Albon struggled to match Verstappen’s blistering pace. As the gap between the two widened, whispers began to circulate about the “Verstappen effect” – a car so finely tuned to the Dutchman’s driving style that it was virtually undriveable for anyone else.
A lot of people say that car is built around Max. But he’s kind of like the Michael Schumacher of Ferrari. He’s created this team around him.
– Alex Albon, former Red Bull driver
Perez’s Plight: A Veteran’s Valiant Effort
Enter Sergio Perez, the experienced Mexican with a reputation for consistency and tire management. Perez’s arrival in 2021 brought a glimmer of hope, with the veteran securing a victory in Azerbaijan and playing a crucial role in Red Bull’s constructors’ championship triumph. But as the 2022 season wore on, the gap to Verstappen began to widen once more.
Despite a strong start to 2023, Perez’s form took a nosedive, with a string of disappointing results leaving him adrift of his dominant teammate. As the pressure mounted, rumors began to swirl about the 34-year-old’s future with the team.
- Perez’s Qualifying Deficit: Across his Red Bull tenure, Perez was out-qualified by Verstappen 79 times in 89 attempts.
- Widening Points Gap: By the end of 2024, Perez had scored just 35% of Verstappen’s total points tally.
The Verstappen Effect: A Poisoned Chalice?
As Perez’s exit from Red Bull is confirmed, the question remains: is the seat alongside Verstappen a poisoned chalice? With a car seemingly built around the Dutchman’s unique driving style and an unwavering focus on maximizing his potential, Red Bull’s second drivers have consistently found themselves in an unenviable position.
Max is the hardest teammate in the world to have.
– Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal
As the team looks to the future, the quest to find a driver capable of thriving in Verstappen’s shadow continues. Will the next incumbent rise to the challenge, or will they too find themselves ground down by the unrelenting pressure of partnering with a once-in-a-generation talent?
The history of Red Bull’s second drivers is a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the fine margins that separate success from failure in the ruthless world of Formula 1. As the team embarks on a new chapter, all eyes will be on the brave soul who dares to step into the breach, ready to face the daunting prospect of being Max Verstappen’s teammate.
