Jos Verstappen shoots down Sergio Perez’s claim that Red Bull F1 car is built around Max Verstappen

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Jos Verstappen has responded after Sergio Perez attempted to explain Max Verstappen’s dominance over his Red Bull teammates. Perez claims that the second driver at Milton Keynes is forced to adapt to a ‘very unique’ driving style.

Since Daniel Ricciardo left at the end of 2018, Verstappen has had five different teammates. Isack Hadjar will join Red Bull for 2026, becoming the latest driver to take on arguably the most daunting challenge in F1.

Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson have both been dropped from the seat in-season, while Perez and Alex Albon lost their places on the grid after struggling next to the Dutchman. Perez, Verstappen’s longest-serving teammate, returns next year with Cadillac.

Expressing sympathy for ‘poor guy’ Yuki Tsunoda, who has continued the cycle of woe, Perez said even Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t survive next to Verstappen.

Jos Verstappen says Sergio Perez is only making excuses for Max Verstappen deficit

Perez’s comments were put to Verstappen Sr by De Telegraaf. The relationship between the former teammates appears to be good, but there has been tension between their camps.

Jos Verstappen called Perez’s father an ‘idiot’ earlier this year after the Mexican alleged that car 33 was superior to car 11.

The ex-F1 driver was more diplomatic this time but stressed that Verstappen succeeds due to his adaptability. His ‘feedback’ is naturally incorporated into car development, but it’s not ‘all about him’.

• READ MORE: Sergio Perez reveals how Max Verstappen immediately reacted to his Cadillac F1 move, ‘I was surprised’

“I would say the same in Perez’s case,” he said. “But I, and everyone close to the action, know that’s not the case. Sometimes even the brightest minds don’t understand why a car reacts differently, but Max has the ability to adapt to the car in all circumstances.

“Of course, he gives feedback based on how the car feels, but that’s normal. Everyone always says it’s all about him. Sorry, but that’s really not the case.”

Rival F1 team boss sums up Red Bull’s biggest problem

Perez says his Red Bull performances have ‘much more value’ now that Lawson and Tsunoda have failed to reach his level.

Perez dropped into the midfield during his last six months or so with Red Bull, which is where Tsunoda typically finds himself. But prior to that, he was scoring consistent podiums, and he managed consecutive top-three finishes in the championship in 2022 and 2023.

Whether or not the car is designed around Verstappen, the consensus is that the Red Bull is difficult to drive. Indeed, one team principal thinks the Racing Bulls car is more stable.

Gasly, Albon and, to an extent, Lawson have all impressed after being dropped by Red Bull. It remains to be seen whether Perez extends that trend at Cadillac.