How Verstappen drove Perez into the ground in 2024

Points often only tell part of the story, so we took a closer look at the data from our technology partner PACETEQ to find out how Formula 1 teammates actually performed in 2024.

With precise time differences and detailed analyzes of their individual strengths and weaknesses, we can paint a clear picture: who was really the better driver this season? And we continue with the Red Bull team.

Verstappen vs. Perez the clearest of all team duels in 2024

Verstappen against Perez

Qualifying duel: 23-1

Qualifying pace: -0.66 seconds

Sergio Perez had no chance against Max Verstappen in 2024. If you compare the best qualifying times of the two Red Bull drivers, Perez was on average 0.66 seconds slower. This is also reflected in the brutal qualifying record of 23:1 for Verstappen. If you add the sprint qualification, the score would be 29:1.

The world champion was only beaten by Perez on a fast lap once, namely at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. There the Mexican came fourth, just over two tenths ahead of Verstappen, who only qualified in sixth place.

The average lead of 0.66 seconds is the largest difference between two Formula 1 teammates in 2024, if only the regular driver duel is taken into account. No other driver was as far away from his teammate in qualifying as Max Verstappen’s Sergio Perez.

Perez will be a little easier on tires than Verstappen in 2024

Verstappen against Perez

Racing duel: 23-1

Race pace: -0.56 seconds per lap

Points: 437-152

Although Sergio Perez has gotten a little closer to Verstappen in terms of race pace, with an average deficit of 0.56 seconds per lap, the balance is just as clear at 23:1 for Verstappen. Perez was only able to beat Verstappen in a race once in 2024, namely in Australia and that only because the Dutchman retired there with a technical defect.

The enormous gap of 285 points at the end of the year also speaks volumes, which was almost a new Formula 1 record for the largest points difference between two teammates. This is 290 points, set by Max Verstappen ahead of Sergio Perez a year earlier in the 2023 season.

When looking at the tire wear data, both drivers did practically nothing in the 2024 season. Perez even had slight advantages in this area, but that probably didn’t amount to more than two hundredths per lap. Nevertheless, the Red Bull RB20 is generally not particularly gentle with the Pirelli tires.

Here is the analysis of the previous team duels:

Sauber duel: That was Valtteri Bottas’ big weakness in 2024

After Sargeant’s expulsion: Franco Colapinto really was that much faster

Racing Bulls driver: Was Liam Lawson really better than Daniel Ricciardo?

Haas driver analyzed: Has Oliver Bearman disenchanted Hülkenberg and Magnussen?

Alpine rider analyzed: Is this pace enough, Jack Doohan?

Aston Martin driver analyzed: Is Lance Stroll really too slow?

Mercedes driver analyzed: Has Hamilton lost his qualifying pace?