Sergio Perez says Lewis Hamilton would battle as Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Purple Bull on account of ‘distinctive’ challenges

Sergio Perez says even elite System 1 drivers resembling Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc would “struggle massively” to outlive as Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Purple Bull.

Perez drove alongside Verstappen for 4 seasons after becoming a member of Purple Bull in 2021, with the Dutchman claiming 4 successive drivers’ titles throughout their time as team-mates.

A disappointing 2024 marketing campaign that noticed Perez end eighth within the drivers’ standings resulted in him being left with out a seat for 2025, however the even higher struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda within the second Purple Bull seat this 12 months have put the Mexican’s problem in context.

Forward of his return to the grid with new entrant Cadillac subsequent 12 months, Perez instructed Sky Sports activities F1: “I don’t like criticising drivers that have been there because I was in that position and I know exactly what they are going through.

“The minute I signed my exit from Purple Bull, once we got here to an settlement, I knew ‘poor man, who comes right here, it is a very troublesome place’.

“Being subsequent to Max could be very troublesome, however being subsequent to Max in Purple Bull is one thing folks do not perceive.

“There are such a lot of issues I may let you know, however it’s merely a really troublesome job for a driver.

“No driver can survive there. It doesn’t matter if you bring Hamilton, Leclerc. Whoever you bring there is going to struggle massively.

“It is a very distinctive driving model. It’s important to always be adapting to the wants of Max. It is so simple as that.”

Verstappen has earned a popularity for being F1’s final ‘team-mate killer’, with extremely rated drivers struggling to match him.

The likes of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon had been shortly seen off by Verstappen earlier than Perez’s arrival, whereas Lawson lasted simply two races initially of this season earlier than being changed by Tsunoda, whose future on the grid is now unsure.

Regardless of a few clashes throughout their time collectively, Perez and Verstappen largely maintained a robust relationship.

The Dutchman has surged again into this 12 months’s title battle by closing in on McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and Perez says his former team-mate could be most deserving of the drivers’ crown.

“Max has been the action of the year. He’s keeping everyone watching F1,” Perez stated.

“Somehow, they have transformed the season and with McLaren messing around, he has a chance of getting it done.

“I feel he is the motive force who deserves the championship probably the most as a result of he is been driving phenomenally.”

Perez: People will be surprised by how good I am on comeback

Despite his explanation for his struggles towards the end of his time with Red Bull, Perez admits that he has a “ultimate level to show” at Cadillac.

“It took me about six months earlier than I knew I wished to come back again,” he said. “I wished to come back again to complete my profession correctly. On the similar time, I felt, does it actually matter?

“If I don’t get the right project or motivation to come back, I was not even going to consider it for a second.”

“I’m very excited. I believe I still have a lot to give to the sport. I’m very lucky with the career I’ve had but I want to finish it on a high. The last year of my career was difficult, and I know how good I can be with the right environment around me.

“I really feel like folks might be shocked on how aggressive, how good I might be on my comeback. I’ve that motivation with me already.

“I have this final point to prove in my career and make sure I leave whenever I want to.”

System 1’s thrilling title race continues in Brazil with a Dash weekend on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on November 7-9, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime