Verstappen Wanted Perez As Teammate Because 'He Knew He Could Beat Him' Says Jordan

Tuesday, 17 December 2024 at 11:30

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan claimed that Max Verstappen pressured Red Bull management to keep Sergio Perez on the team.

Red Bull isn't really famous for giving drivers in their two teams (Red Bull Racing and RB) too many chances. Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Nyck de Vries, and multiple others could attest to this.

Consequently, when Sergio Perez started lacking too much on his teammate Max Verstappen in 2023, multiple rumors emerged, suggesting that the 34-year-old would not be driving for the team from Milton Keynes in 2024.

Yet, the Mexican driver kept his seat, and what's more, he signed a two-year contract extension at the start of the season. His performance went down again right after that, and a similar scenario with rumors repeated at the start of the summer break.

Red Bull Racing decided to give their driver another chance, saying it was the best decision for "stability" within the team.

The problem was that something about the RB20 didn't suit Checo. Even after the summer break, he couldn't improve his performance. He collected only 21 points in the last ten race weekends, which was less than Pierre Gasly in Alpine did.

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If the 34-year-old amassed at least 53% of what Verstappen did in 2024, Red Bull could have won the Constructors' Championship. However, they finished third instead.

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan thinks that the Mexican driver should have been replaced a while ago and suggested that Max Verstappen carries responsibility for the fact that he wasn't. He said on the Formula for Success podcast:

"I'm embarrassed for Checo [Sergio Perez], because I like the guy. He's a smashing person to be with."

"But are you telling me he's angling and fighting for a place in the team for next year? I would say that it's not a chance, but I put some blame on the team, and I put some blame on Max [Verstappen]."

"I know that Max put pressure on Christian [Horner]. He did not want Carlos Sainz in the car. He wanted Checo in the car because he knew he could beat him."

"And to be fair, Max has to just think about that a little bit. Christian has to think about that."

"They will deny it, but it's just my belief that there was a situation where it was easier to keep Checo in the car rather than consider a position where it might be better for the team where they would get a constructors' title next year."

Red Bull held a meeting with shareholders after the end of the 2024 season, during which they were supposed to make a decision on Perez's future.

According to Sky Sports Germany, the Austrian F1 team ultimately decided to pull the plug and replace the 34-year-old with Liam Lawson starting in 2025.