Photo: Red Bull content pool

Perez makes latest Red Bull confession a year after sacking

10:39, 15 Dec

Updated: 11:46, 15 Dec

byTobia Elia

Sergio Perez has opened up about his difficult period at Red Bull, which ultimately led to their parting ways at the end of last season.

"I knew my role and knew that this project was developed for Verstappen"

- Sergio Perez

Perez, speaking during a press conference in EXMA Mexico, admitted that he knew from the start what his role within the team would be, and that there was nothing he could do to “go against the system.”

“I knew from day one when I arrived that you have to be smart and understand the circumstances and the role you have. I knew my role perfectly; I knew this project had been built and developed for Verstappen, who is an incredible driver, so this project was made for him.

“In the end, when I arrived and started to make the project nervous, I knew there were many interests at stake."

Sergio Perez in the Red Bull garage - Photo: Race Pictures

Despite coming out of his Red Bull experience bruised, Perez has still managed to secure a seat for the upcoming season: “I couldn’t go against the system. That’s why you can’t just focus on driving; you also have to deal with all the external factors that we, as drivers or athletes, face off the track.”

“I had to be smart and think—not just about that race, but about the future. When you look back, you see the drivers, what they’ve done, how long they’ve lasted. Today nobody even talks about or remembers that there was another driver at Red Bull.”

Despite this, the Mexican driver said he is still grateful for having had such an opportunity in his career: "What happened to Red Bull was the best thing that could have happened to me in the end. In the conditions I was in, it was extremely demanding to be there."

Perez offered 'home' away from Formula 1 as Cadillac debut looms

Alberto Longo, co-founder of Formula E and Chief Championship Officer, continues to hope that the Mexican driver will one day join the electric series.

Perez is set to make his Formula 1 return with Cadillac after spending a season away from the spotlight, following his sudden dismissal from Red Bull at the end of last season.

In a recent interview, Longo pointed out that in Formula E, the car is less decisive than in Formula 1—a factor that could affect the Mexican driver’s perspective.

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