Challenges Galore for Sergio Perez As Max Verstappen Refuses To Give a Sniff

The 2022 F1 season has been a dream year for Red Bull, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Perez. The Austrian team won 17 of the total 22 races, whereas the Dutchman won 15 of them. On the other hand, with two wins to his name, Perez had the most successful year so far in F1. Despite having his best outing in the sport, Perez revealed that he faced ample challenges throughout the season. Not only from Mercedes or Ferrari but also from his teammate Max Verstappen, as the Mexican shared about this in a recently published report.

In the report, Perez revealed Verstappen’s biggest strength and how he was able to beat the Mexican in the same car week in, week out, and take two back-to-back championships. It was the same in 2021 as well when Verstappen finished on top as compared to Perez’s P4 finish in the championship.

As per Express, Perez told, “Being Max’s teammate is quite a challenge. He’s just very complete, and hardly makes mistakes. I think that’s one of his strengths, that he’s able to be at the limit for a very long time during a weekend. That’s one of the biggest strengths that he has.”

Moreover, speaking to Auto Motor Und Sport, team principal Horner also praised the Mexican driver sharing how difficult it is to be a Verstappen teammate. He said, “I think Checo knows exactly what is expected from him. And I think being Max Verstappen’s teammate is a pretty daunting prospect for any driver. But I think Checo has handled that very well.”

READ MORE: Nostalgia Surrounds Max Verstappen Reuniting With Dutch Brother Nyck de Vries on Track

Apart from taking 15 wins to Perez’s two, the Dutch driver also picked up seven pole positions to Perez’s one. Verstappen also clinched 17 podiums as compared to the Mexican’s 11. In 2021, Max Verstappen finished the season with 10 wins, 10 pole positions, and 18 podiums, whereas Sergio Perez finished the season with a win and five podiums.

Sergio Perez wants to challenge Max Verstappen this season

Sergio Perez will start his third season with Red Bull this year alongside Max Verstappen after letting go of the past. After arriving from the Racing Point team in 2021, Perez has always played second fiddle to the Dutchman. However, the Mexican looks for a change this season.

Talking about this, Perez told during a team preview, “Testing is very important because it is the only time of the year when you can really make big changes and explore different set-ups in the car. I feel like things are just getting started. I want to enjoy this year and have my best season ever.”

WATCH THIS STORY: F1 to Hold Crunch Netflix Talks Amidst Max Verstappen “Fake” Accusations

Red Bull is in Bahrain with the rest of the teams for the annual pre-season testing that will go on for three days. After the first session of day 1, Max Verstappen emerged as the fastest driver on the track with a speed of 326 kilometers per hour.