Our Reaction to Sergio Perez LEAVING Red Bull

[@ieism1]

I think Albon explained it best. Once he got used to the car being twitchy and started getting up to speed, RB made the car even more pointy as Max is on another level of car control. So now you're back to square one with no confidence and a teammate who keeps getting faster. This basically happened to all RB drivers.

[@arno7804]

The seat next to Max is cursed!

[@Anvil35]

And a driver who has never competed in a full year is supposed to outperform a veteran who has finished 4 years!

[@CiCi_Artenjoy]

@@Anvil35 well he certainly might. Perez couldn't do it and lost them the championship, might as well try out someone else.

[@hiufgterde]

sure that would explain him being a bit behind Max, not this much though. Perez got worse and worse

[@gilded_lady]

At first, yes, but I think 2023 broke Perez and he just never really recovered.

[@seancassidycowie4193]

There was an interview with Vettel a while ago and he was asked what made Max so good. He said “he is comfortable in the uncomfortable” meaning even if a car doesn’t work right he will absolutely extract the maximum. I think he masks a lot of the Red Bulls issue whereas other good but not world class drivers can’t cope making them look very average

[@mannedi8665]

Correct. That's what Newey has said with Max making it work with their car

[@MasterSandman]

That's also the reason for their mid season slump. Even Newey admitted Max masked certain core problems they turned out to have had with the car for years, untill they were exacerbated by certain developments and their need to push the limits, in order to keep ahead of the competition and suddenly all their problems were laid bare. And still Max is able to haul that p.o.s. along the track and score enough points to grab that 4th title!

[@nathangaspacio6128]

I know what you mean and I def agree but I would say that all f1 drivers are world-class, just that those drivers world-class but not championship-level drivers.

[@BlissifiedHH]

Yeah, Redbull did this once before where they missed the problems with the car and kept doing aggressive development because Max was simply soo good that he masked the problems of the car. It happened through 2019-2020 if im not mistaken, and it's happened again now through 2023-2024. Max simply is too adaptable for Redbull it seems like

[@brandonwalker3056]

​@nathangaspacio6128 , that's all well and good but I really strongly feel that this point is moot in a discussion entirely focused on these specific 20 drivers.

[@hrishikesh157]

Carlos Sainz should be in Red Bull instead of Williams

[@AndrewTSq]

I wonder if that is why Horner was visiting Williams.. and not cause of Colapinto.

[@willjackson6522]

But what if Williams can truly turn their trajectory around?

[@StevenQ74]

Carlos was also destroyed by Max in 2015, even though Sainz had 3 years more formula racing experience it was 49-18 for Max

[@hrishikesh157]

@@willjackson6522 this is highly unlikely.. Red Bull is already on top

[@bipolarminddroppings]

@@StevenQ74 it's not about getting beaten by Max, it's about whether you can deliver results. Perez hasn't for most of the last 2 years. You could lose to Max every race, if you come in the place right behind him then that's okay, it's not okay to be finishing 15th in a Redbull when Max is winning races.

[@TomP-148]

Plot twist. Kmag has signed for red bull

[@leoarevalo6786]

World's greatest teammate

[@aberamagold7509]

That would be hilarious.

[@off-courseroaming1809]

Kmag would back Max up but you know he'd still get banned for a few races can't lose that edge! =D

[@leoarevalo6786]

@@off-courseroaming1809 imagine ocon in that red bull

[@leoarevalo6786]

@@off-courseroaming1809 imagine ocon in that red bull

[@kyrie6910]

Bring Yuki up for a year to let Lawson develop alongside Hadjar. It's the only move that makes any real sense.

[@someoneunseen5168]

Hadjar over rated.

[@Molzie433]

Yeah I agree, but I have a feeling that RB won't want an interim driver.

[@JordanHarris]

No one wants a Honda driver in RedBull when Honda is going to Aston Martin. Why does no one understand simple math?

[@guillermoperezsantos]

[@soundscape26]

@@JordanHarris Wouldn't Yuki sever the Honda ties if Red Bull offered a 2/3 year deal? I mean, he will have no seat for 2026...

[@gamergod9182]

the only reason Sergio ever got the Red Bull seat was because they ran out of drivers, so it's ironic that the firing of both Sergio and Daniel and their refusal to promote Yuki essentially put them in exactly the same position once again.

[@gamergod9182]

and I'm not saying he is a bad driver. he is a good driver. he's solid. a Bottas. a Barrichello. flashes of brilliance among a generally decent performance. and that sorta driver works when you have a dominant car or only fight with one other team for a championship. current F1 is not like that.

[@guillermoperezsantos]

Yuki is a loser

[@alexashford2693]

I mean he was outperforming his car at the time and was deserving a better team and car and then yeah got lucky and was available

[@Lisvonian]

It should have been Hulkenberg if we’re honest

[@pooledogg775]

​@@gamergod9182Bottas and Basically are way above.

[@CarimboHanky]

11:07 brad pitt... he is getting the seat, i mean the man beat both russell and leclerc in a literal tractor 😂

[@FalconsF1]

I think that Yuki deserves the seat more than Lawson bc he has shown consistency and he’s way more experienced! But everyone can agree that this was prob the best choice for Red bull bc he cost them the world championship and the biggest points difference between teamates in f1 history! Keep it up guys! ❤

[@xavierpanohaya2647]

caused by RBR themselves.

[@Molzie433]

They'll go for the all-round package and I'm not sure if Yuki delivers this. He's had 4 years and is still being beaten by a rookie teammate.

[@FalconsF1]

True true

[@FalconsF1]

Still I think the car is more sutted for Yukis driving style

[@FalconsF1]

But Yh Lawson is the best bet for an all-around package!

[@Kira-29]

In this episode: Checo leaves, Tommy speaks and Matt is fighting a fly!

[@ftblszn]

That 2nd Red Bull seat is the hardest to be in on the grid, the car is fast so you're expected to perform, but it can only go fast if you have confidence in it even though it's on a knife-edge like Max likes, so you can't get that confidence. When all of your 2nd drivers have failed or eventually failed next to max, even though they’re not bad drivers, you have to question if it's right to make the car in such a way if it compromises half of your driver lineup. The next Red Bull driver will have the same fate as Perez and the others and the fans/media will call them terrible drivers too.

[@badboymorales]

I feel the same way. Its maxs car and maxs only. No other driver can drive that car. Perez is an amazing race car driver when the car is underneath him. We seen his amazing driving in other cars and even in the redbull but this car has gone away more and more from checo. Even from max. Max is even having problems with the RB20. SO IF THE RB21 is gonna be more of the same thats why checo left. I bet checo and Ricciardo will be in Cadillac for 2026. . i just wonder what ford is gonna say knowing they lost such a big market in mexico with checos departure. Ford was gonna market the hell out of checo in 2026 in Mexico. Now who are they gonna push to market in mexico. Its a tough lost for Ford. I bet ford isnt happy with this decision

[@kurokurt5477]

yes it is bcause that is the best car (in theory) and at some point someone will like that kind of car too (maybe)

[@hustler539]

I don't think they're specifically making the car bad in order to cater to Max, as even he has had complains about the car for half the season. I think it is just a side effect of staff changes and RB falling behind others in development. Max is just on another level, he's able to compensate for some of the downfalls of the car.

[@20Korna07]

but Checo didn't underperform all four years

[@waiora_wf]

cant be. just read on twitter comments, they keep repeating how max is just an andrian newey merchant. funny how no one else could drive that car as fast to date

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

It's no surprise that the team is built around Max, they did it with Vettel too. Okay, Perez has had a lousy year and it's genuinely sad, but if it wasn't for RB, he'd have been out of F1 4 years ago. He's got results he couldn't have got in any other team (Monaco win, for example, and 4 others), and Horner has given him support that other team bosses wouldn't have in the last couple of years especially. They even gave him the opportunity to leave with dignity, announcing it as his choice, not something that's happened to other drivers this year alone. I'm neutral, not a big RB fan at all, but I do think they've done more right by him than not. Hopefully he has a happy future, whatever it is he decides to do.

[@elzeban]

That intro is the first thing I thought of when they started doing these intros lol.

[@HELEEN39]

Botas would be a fun teammate!

[@garypokeysnow7315]

Hes also now free so maybe get him as hes a good 2nd team player

[@thomasvrielink299]

If Red Bull was still dominant he'd be a good option, but that's probably not the case next year, and the lack of help he was able to offer Lewis in 2021 despite being in the position to do so more often than Checo was for Max tells us he's not the right choice for the current situation.

[@jacksonrodrigues7533]

Bottas is an aloof character

[@cipher4213]

Red Bull dropping Albon and Gasly was always a massive mistake, having to make a choice between Lawson and Hadjar is such a downgrade.

[@angitalayra7330]

I just wish that they sign Bottas tbh

[@nateflores8160]

Rubbish, Gasly was doing terrible and was too inexperienced for a top team and Albon not much better than that either

[@ergoproxy-gx2cq]

Yuki be like 💀

[@LeJimster]

I'm not sure about Hadjar, he needs to work on calming down over the team radio. Funnily enough that might be something Yuki could help him with. For me though Lawson has a much higher potential than Albon or Gasly. He's certainly more adaptable.. They just need to give him some proper time in a F1 car to prove himself. I think thats the only thing that sucks is that he was held back too much and now he's going to be catapulted early into a top seat. I think he's capable of doing a solid job but it doesn't mean he's going to find the task easy.

[@Torero2901]

Matt: "Perez brings sooo much to the sport", get that arm out of Checo, he's finished and his lack of humility only proves that right. The only thing "he brings to the sport" is mediocrity.

[@joshsmith7521]

Was great having the cameo appearence from the fly. Some great input from him there

[@leagokubu9072]

That intro was clean

[@_ariosto1519]

How many takes? 😅

[@JordanHarris]

It's never good. It's always cringe. Stop it.

[@boobalooshahoogaloo5981]

@@JordanHarrisit’s just good fun bro learn to live a little it’s clearly jokes💀

[@skyspider1237]

@@JordanHarris bet you’re fun at parties Jordan

[@davelangford2439]

Wow, you're really, really easily impressed. It's like 4 words each, it's not a monologue. Children could do it

[@DarkstarV1]

Just like Danny Ric, they probably knew and should have let him do a proper goodbye 🤦‍♂️

[@xavierpanohaya2647]

they didn´t do it for Ric, nor Albon, nor Gasly, nor Perez, RB literally doesnt care about anything other than Max.

[@066kshitizvsingh4]

They actually didn't. There was a decent bit of negotiations that had to be done before they made the announcement

[@Ticklestein]

Disagree, they treated him equally now.

[@adriaandoelman2577]

@@xavierpanohaya2647 Danny Ric did go to Renault all by himself. Since that moment it was Max’s team for good reason, obviously…

[@begui2613]

To be fair, Danny left on his own, and everybody knew, so he could say goodbye. Gastly was sent to the other team and Albon was kept as third driver (and when he went to Williams there was a proper goodbye), so there wasn't really a need for an event or anything. But with Daniel it was awful. And did you see the video they did for Checo?? They were definitely expecting it... They should've said something

[@luiszavala9728]

Honestly it doesn’t matter who they put in that 2nd seat.

[@JordanHarris]

Anyone else is fine.

[@Jakaj99]

@@JordanHarris who is fine? next person will have ruined career the same, as checo and other redbull 2nd drivers

[@Pixeltrooper1927]

Bring back Daniel Ricciardo for the media value

[@mscbijles1256]

Nope, putting Stroll in would be even worse!

[@wallymcguire2033]

The Constructors championship position can men millions of dollars to the team. It is very important to have a second driver placing well.

[@sheldoniusRex]

The perfect driver to replace Checo is the one Red Bull passed over this spring. Carlos Sainz Jr. But no, they're going to promote Lawson too soon and sabotage his career like Gasly or Albon.

[@kyperactive]

Shouldve happened sooner. Now the big question is who? Lawson barely had time and aint showing much (not saying he's trash, just that there's hardly enough to support him being the replacement), Hadjar is (apparently) a headcase, and Tsunoda is basically a placeholder at this stage. There is one clear option now... -Daniel Ricciardo- Marcus Ericcson.

[@ItsBellers]

It is about time. The last two seasons have been shocking but I do remember what he managed in 2021. Cadillac should aim to sign him along with Colapinto and cash in big on the South American sponsorship

[@Godsie71]

I think Yuki has earned the opportunity and we’ve seen what the 2nd red bull seat has done to drivers that have jumped into that seat without developing. I think it would be doing a disservice to Lawson to put him there so soon. I’m sure he wouldn’t see that way.

[@robb5270]

Finally! Thank gawd….the Perez extension in middle of season last year when he was terrible is literally the worst decision by any team the last decade

[@myschevious11]

The one driver who did come closest to matching Max and his driving style has always been Danny. But, Danny made his choices, and then Red Bull made theirs. I agree; especially with rookies, we're going to see a continuing trend (rinse and repeat) of what we've seen for the last 5 years.

[@Ftxbu]

Cleaner Intro than Perez' season

[@LednacekZ]

perez not announcing it sooner is always a marketing thing, sponsors.

[@hib6076]

So many people are saying Yuki, which he has grinded enough to deserve a chance. But he won't do anything differently. Yuki is not a world title calibre driver, he is far too inconsistent

[@awgoated]

Hey just a little idea, maybe post some highlights from your live shows or like a trailer so that we fans get a feeling of what its like there! Big fan!!

[@Dyils]

6:02 No? The gap between Max and Perez in 2021 was not 20 seconds... both Lewis and Max were sometimes 40-50 seconds ahead of the WHOLE FIELD. Yeah, sometimes Perez or Bottas got within 20 seconds but not that often.

[@profX-27]

16:20 watching matt track the fly 😂

[@Artists_wrld]

If I ever find someone who looks at me they way Tommy looks at Matt I’ll be happy

[@kieferclarkf1674]

Had Daniel been faster than Yuki, we would have gotten a Max/Danny pairing again🥺I wish that would have happened.

[@Fifty8day]

He was stupid to leave in the first place . He went down hill from there.

[@jrs86]

Sergio "I have a contract" Perez

[@diamondback6653]

Maybe - and this might be controversial - that 2nd seat is so toxic becasue of driver mentality. We have had now 4 drivers next to Max who tried to live up to or creating the myth that they will equal or even defeat Max in that car. Perez even claiming he could be DWC. It never happened and everyone started to struggle. Maybe it is better for the driver next to Max that you should not put yourself in that position and say: "I drive for Red Bull, I will do my best for the team and will try to pick up if Max - if that happens - DNF's. The no.2 driver should have that mindset, because there is no driver outthere that can beat Max in equal machinery. It would lift an enormous ammount of pressure from the outside.

[@murphyebass7837]

Lawson gets it for sure. They don’t rate Tsunoda.

[@scrubsscrubs694]

All on Max's team mates will always fail because Max drives a weird way and they build and tune the car to that. No one else can drive it which is why they all suddenly forget how to drive when they get to Red Bull. Going to Red Bull is a quick way to end your career and soon they won't be able to get any drivers for their team because nobody will want to go there

[@Minifliek]

I don't think he drives a weird way, but he's capable of driving highly unstable cars. So whilst the other drivers feel they've hit the limit of stability Max just hasn't yet.

[@vaibhavplus1]

Yay my question made it to the video!

[@Hasardi]

P1 with Matt, Tommy & Fly

[@danieltubio-rey1984]

I genuinely think even if Yuki was doing a good job he wouldnt get that seat purely cause i believe Red Bull are annoyed that Honda said they were pulling out and ended up doing a U turn and stayed in F1

[@hiufgterde]

You genuinely couldn't be more wrong. That's tin foil hat talk

[@pooledogg775]

Yuki in for a year and Franco and Liam fight it out in the junior team.

[@markzbikowski4397]

Biggest kick in the balls to Yuki if they put Lawson in over him. Yuki has been grinding

[@David1991.]

Yuki fanboy spotted

[@The123Orion123]

He’s been grinding sure. But has he been getting anywhere?

[@Daxboy16]

Yuki hasn't helped himself with his antics in Bahrain tho.

[@AKStovall]

@@Daxboy16 what has Liam done since he got the "full time" ride? nothing. He hasn't beaten Yuki head to head this season. he hasn't been as good as they hoped. putting Liam in is going to ruin another young driver's career. Yuki has been a leader at VCARB for quite a while now. it's time to give him a shot in the big car. Lawson and Hadjar get the VCARB and Lawson is the leader there. The fact that Yuki can't get promoted screams discrimination... especially when they employed Checo for 4 years of mediocrity.

[@Daxboy16]

@@AKStovall I agree that Yuki should get the seat. I literally made the point that his antics from Bahrain are probably why he won't get promoted. I like Yuki too, but he shouldn't have done that.

[@ras_732]

This was announced on the very day he was appointed Red Bull 4 years ago!! (Who was very close to not getting a drive at all!)

[@ryno4859]

While I understand the reasoning for Perez no longer being Red Bulls number 2, I just do not understand the apparent contempt and dislike towards him. Everyone was disappointed that Danny Ric was booted, with Perez it seems to be the opposite but when you compare their F1 career stats, they are extremely similar.

[@tobiasgoddard6428]

Tbh I can't see any driver in the RBR pipeline that will succeed as a second driver since it seems that the team is Max front-loaded. It might be an idea to just look for a driver candidate with raw one lap speed that can at least qualify high and put pressure on the competition and then just try to work with whatever they have in the race.

[@leedodge4227]

I like Checo, and using 20/20 hindsight, say the worst thing for his career, was to be Max's teammate.

[@soundscape26]

Yes, but at the end of 2020 it was the only seat available for him

[@Pixeltrooper1927]

Thats wrong. During his time at Red Bull, he has won 5 races (opposed to 1 pre-RBR), 29 podiums (opposed to 10) got 2nd place in WDC and won a WCC. Without joining Red Bull, I don't think he ever would've achieved that. Perez got into a championship winning team by luck as he was the best of the few options that were left.

[@betaich]

What Red Bull need is a Rubens Barichello to their Schumacher in form of Max, I just can't see a driver like Rubens in todays F1.

[@202TheRocker]

I feel like we need an offseason “How to fix Red Bull” podcast where we look at who statistically was the best teammate for Max and what car and driver combo would have won Red Bull the constructors. For instance would Hamilton in this years Mercedes paired with Max in the Red Bull have been enough? We need context for where the bar is. Like what is the real average finishing position to be checking the box for that seat.

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Perez is NOT a bad driver. In fact, he is a GREAT mid field driver. Very sub par at best in a front running team though. Some drivers are just that though. Great in the mid field, but once up front, theyre gone. Perez is one of those.

[@tomk5066]

If I was Yuki and Liam gets the seat, I’d be looking to move on when his current contract is up

[@lg4609]

I'm afraid that would be moving out of F1.

[@foxyfoxington2651]

I could see him in that second Aston Martin seat when they hook up with Honda for 2026... If that seat wasn't already occupied by useless nepotism.

[@hiufgterde]

Move on to what exactly, a demotion to a lower class?

[@johnturner4400]

That fly was about to give you all the inside gossip on red bull and you just brushed it aside…

[@dashcharger24]

The conspiracy fly of Family Guy?

[@Chris-sf2cp]

It’s not about who “deserves” the seat they just need someone who can drive that particular car, and Riccardo has been the only one who can

[@1DerangedWarrior]

Conspiracy theory... RB wanted 10% more aero time so dropped to 3rd inteniotnal so they can put that extra 10% into 2026 development..thats why they resigned him.. they just didnt expect him to suck so badly in second half of season

[@Bad_Riders]

That was a quick break between the 2024 and 2025 season content

[@tjerkheringa937]

RB needs to sign Bottas :). Valterri was born as the perfect wingman

[@bipolarminddroppings]

I agree about him being the perfect wingman, but I don't think the RB would suit him, he's even less of a fan of pointy cars than Perez.

[@hiufgterde]

Bottas is a terrible racing driver though, he's good in quali..thats it

[@realitycheck908]

Good luck to Perez but the guy struggled for 2 years before being dropped, world record for RB

[@AyyFuji]

No sympathy out of me, he had 4 years, all in the best car, and I can’t tell you which one is his best, because honestly, none of them were good seasons. The fact that Ricciardo has a better stat sheet in RB than Checo speaks for itself. He stayed because of $$$, and I will never have sympathy for a driver that is in this sport because of $$$. Good riddance, rest in piss, and adiós.

[@skeeplays4409]

Doesn't matter who you will put next to Max, he will destroy anyone anyways... he is the best driver that is currently out there!

[@willjackson6522]

We really need to stop calling all of Verstappen’s teammates terrible. It is so abundantly clear that a huge amount of blame can be placed on the fact that the car is designed around Max’s unique style. If we should be criticising anyone, it should be Red Bull’s willingness to drown all of Max’s teammates.

[@Flainam05]

Checo couldn‘t say that he will be leaving Red Bull due to his contract. If he wants all the money that Red Bull would own him for 2025, he has to be legally bound to his contract. That’s why he always told us in the interview he will drive in 2025. Otherwise this could’ve gone to court. So it actually was a kinda odd situation 😂

[@samuelmoncarey7183]

There was literally a fly flying in front of my screen the exact moment Tommy mentions a fly joining the podcast 🤣

[@henkormel5610]

Red Bull extended his career with four years. Hülkenberg was a free agent at the time also. Get over it. It's a results based sport. AT&T came in, Slim branding goes so Pérez goes.

[@northhold]

The thing I just can't understand is RBs willingness to do ANYTHING to support Max when it's clearly now impacting their Constructors hopes. I'd always figure that the teams first goal is Constructors and if they can cinch a drivers cup as well then great, but first comes the team. Just feels at this stage that RB are sabotaging themselves to keep Max happy.

[@JordanHarris]

You don't understand how formula 1 works. A car that's harder to drive is faster. A more stable easy to drive car is slow. Plain and simple.

[@northhold]

@@JordanHarris I get that but it's pointless when only half your team can drive it.

[@Milkywayboy]

@@northholdnot pointless when it’s max A generational talent is exactly what makes it worth it

[@northhold]

@@Milkywayboy But that's my point, I don't get why RB is prioritising Max over a Constructors title

[@Milkywayboy]

@@northhold they are prioritizing the drivers Checo lost them the constructors.

[@MindfullyBased]

Liam Lawson is going to be chosen for his demeaner, and not because he is the best bet in the car this second. Yuki's attitude is awful, and even though it has improved, he is much too entitled and spoiled to be a productive 2nd to Max. If they gave Yuki the seat, it would take all of 5 seconds for Yuki to view himself as the #1 driver, and start criticizing the team fucking him over race 1. Liam will be quiet and accept being #2 to Max to start and work into it. Because of this Liam will be the first teammate of Max at Red Bull to not go into the seat with the goal of showing the world he is better than Max. And THAT is why he was (will be) chosen.

[@LoganSergeantF1]

Put Massi in that seat 💀💀😭

[@daliaanghel9093]

Have a great evening!

[@MrBasjunk]

Now call Kmag for that seat! Just admit that no one is on Verstappens level and Kmag will be the perfect 2nd driver who is willing to do anything for the team.

[@tyranus1111]

Just dont have a second driver. Nothing will change.

[@dashcharger24]

You mean give Max an extra backup car? 🤔 That isn't even a bad idea.

[@nealsidhu2697]

Logan Sargeant to Red Bull please!

[@grumpsisinthehouse8828]

Bottas for FIA President if he doesn't get the Red Bull drive..!!

[@ghostlyrazgriz5228]

Perez and Ricciardo both to Cadillac. They could use the Perez money when getting started

[@emilyjessica7379]

That’s a shout

[@crazycjk]

I think Cadillac go with an american driver plus either Sergio or Daniel; it'd basically be perfect marketing for a new US team

[@ghostlyrazgriz5228]

@@crazycjkMoney from Perez would be a big deal. And Ricciardo is basically a Texan. So close enough 🤣

[@crazycjk]

@@ghostlyrazgriz5228 I agree on both points! Basically a texan haha 😂

[@MrHoundDoug]

😂

[@DRAGON5LAYER549]

Maybe history is repeating itself. Its not like after a redbull driver managed to get there 4th consecutive world drivers title the team brang in a new young driver who seemingly was just there to be the second driver of the team, who then dominated the more experienced driver

[@Minifliek]

Could be but Max>Vettel.

[@Daxboy16]

Max is way more adaptable than Vettel ever was tho. Even Vettel has said that Max can do things he can't do.

[@jeffretey]

It’s all about who can best drive the car that is set up for Max. Whether it be a narrow window that it operates in or the tire constraints, they probably have the data on who can deal with that best.

[@AugmentedGravity]

I absolutely love Checo. His win in Sakhir is legit tear jerkingly beautiful. But this was the right choice. Both for him and for Red Bull. I really don't hope this is the last we see of him though. That would be just pure sad.

[@tedbones3333]

Either buy K-mag out of his BMW contact as he is one of the only drivers that won't let max force him off the track. Or get the hulk smash out of his sauber/audi contract. Sadly these options wont happen but Yuki deserves the seat way more than Liam.

[@mscbijles1256]

In that case always pick Hulk!

[@timovos5371]

No kevin will play the teamgame to ruin the races of other teams while max is winning

[@bigsmooshflopdong33]

Joyous day for long time Redbull fans. Can now watch a race and not be embarrassed to watch Checo.

[@markgr1nyer]

Latifi for the seat, go on pmsl

[@rhodrambles3943]

I feel like part of the reluctance on Tsunoda is because he seems very self confident and wont just accept things in the same way all the other drivers have (for better or worse). If you look at the demeanour of Gasly, Albon and in some ways Checo, they were new/naive or happy to finally be in a top team and likely to just accept decisions that made their life harder but improved things for Max (Or that Max was better at dealing with.)

[@dashcharger24]

I love how you guys are just dressed like normal people, and nothing fancy. :)

[@rcknroll58]

I think it will Lawson but I would like to see yuki in that seat

[@sergiorivas8690]

Is sad but it was the right call for the team and checo, i hope to see him again in another team

[@fin-ed6oj]

I disagree about the Red Bull driver academy. I think it’s actually in a good place, genuinely. For 2025, Tsunoda should be getting promoted up to the main team. With Lawson & Hadjar stepping up to the junior team. Iwasa is there as a solid reserve if needs be. And Lindblad is the next one to take the step in 2026 or 2027

[@kfkwAL7]

Weird isn’t it- Horner can’t speak higher of Checo, “he decided to take a sabbatical” so respectful and yet Danny ric was shat on. He either had something on Horner or an amazing contract.

[@Kalzakov]

Sergone "Checkout" Perexit

[@WrecklessMEDIC]

That fly was the star of this episode..... 🤪

[@kernowkennedy]

Bring in Bottas for 1 season. Yuki and Lawson have a shootout for the year. Win win. Also, Shoulder to shoulder for an emergency podcast backstage at your very own live gig. Love it.

[@BerkeleyMatthew]

The public sentiment toward Perez has swung wildly over the last few years. In 2018 the decision to keep Perez at Racing Point instead of Ocon was generally greeted with dismay because he was considered a 'pay driver' due to his sponsors, and he was preventing the young and promising Ocon from having a seat. Press interviews with other drivers including Hamilton suggest the general shared attitude at this point. At the start of 2020 Perez had to sit out some races due to Covid, allowing Hulkenberg back into the lineup. Hulk had some strong showings at Silverstone, and everyone was rooting for him to finally get that podium. As the year wore on Hulk was becoming a strong candidate for the second Red Bull seat. Perez came back and outperformed Stroll. His solid season culminated in that incredible Sakhir Grand Prix win. That marked a turning point in public opinion in his favour, with everyone wondering how he could be without a drive the following year. The victory also leapfrogged him into first place for the Red Bull seat, which he eventually got after the end of the season, much to Hulkenberg's dismay. He had a good few seasons at Red Bull, even daring to believe he could challenge Max for the championship at the start of 2023, but things started unravelling later in the season. He had a couple of good races at the start of 2024 before his form completely collapsed. And now the general fan base is not particularly surprised or disappointed that he is leaving.

[@bassiegeutjens6229]

I think they are going for Lawson because Yuki has a contract

[@cigarjefe]

I saw Checo in a pub with his mates. He was in good spirits.

[@aidanbonny7926]

He probably got paid millions to walk away 😂 I would be in great spirits too 😂😂

[@andresilvasophisma]

I'm shocked, no one was expecting this.

[@bigsmooshflopdong33]

I can't remember any Perez hype before his Sakir win, and things really fell into place for him to win that race luck had a portion to play, but ues a very good race. Before that he was a decent midfield driver, 2020 was decent because he was in the Pink Mercedes. He was basically done in 2020 and got really really lucky with Redbull giving him a chance and then redbull giving him another chance.

[@patepulkkinenvtec2403]

Checo not willing to let go on his own and instead trying to drag on a project that wasn't working is a really embarrasing way to end a team partnership, and probably an f1 career.

[@micky1878]

Get K Mag in there!!

[@soundscape26]

He signed for BMW, he'll do the WEC next season

[@FireStormHR]

Is it finally time for Hulkenberg? While he is not on max level, he will always deliver solid points

[@The_BenboBaggins]

The Perez autobiography will be EXPLOSIVE!

[@jackybeck2479]

It's officially ChecOVER

[@BrainiacManiac142]

This was inevitable.

[@stue2298]

Red Bull needs a driver that has a drive style that suits the car that is clearly built for Max's driving style. Hamilton was always complaining about how the Merc handled where Russel didn't. May be Red Bull are waiting for the 2025 car to be tested and see which driver is the fastest out of the potential replacements, no point replacing Perez is the replacement is even slower and hates how the car handles.

[@TogunMaster]

How many takes to get that intro lol? Absolutely fantastic!

[@thunderspike1892]

I watched a Danish podcast the other night with former race drivers Casper Elgaard and Jens Winther Jr. They thought KMag would be great in Red Bull because he's a no nonsense driver that couldn't care less what Max are doing. The last 3 Red Bull drivers plus Sainz got totally destroyed when driving with Max. They also mentioned that they would have loved seeing KMag in a Ferrari or a McLaren at the end of this season giving Verstappen a lot of problems. In a talk with former Le Mans winner John Nielsen he told the story of being offered a seat with Tyrrell in 1985. The budget for a full season was $3.500.000 😳. John and his manager had to come up with the 500.000. Wasn't possible. The budgets were not that big back then.

[@mattt525]

So, there are two problems I see with this whole entire situation. Christian Horner while defending Checo said that having Max as a teammate is a big mind f**k. Do not forget Daniel chose to leave that team because the entire team revolved around Max. I can see Liam being put into that seat and burning out so quickly its not even funny. The more Liam falls behind the more he will over drive the car. Liam has an overly large ego that he needs to get under control. Isak Hadjar is just ew🤢🤮 there is no way he could handle that seat either. Yuki is the only other choice and Idk if he can even handle it. No driver is gonna come in and want to be Max's teammate and just xome 2nd. I also believe that the only place Checo could reenter the grid is the Cadillac team. Having a decent veteran come into the team to help development will be immensely helpful. Not to mention. All of Checo's fans and ties to North America. My 2 cents though.

[@kidoctane]

Perfectly said about Liam.....agree 101%. My vibes are telling me that it's going to end in tears for Liam if he gets he seat.

[@mattt525]

@kidoctane The potential for a spectacular burn out is there for Liam. Do I want him to? NOPE. But Redbull have put themselves in a position where they have drivers with big egos and even bigger anger issues in their seats.

[@kidoctane]

@@mattt525 Loving your insights - and again agree