Here’s Why Sergio Perez Could Be the F1 Driver to Watch Out for at Azerbaijan GP

Sergio Perez is coming to Azerbaijan with high spirits, without a doubt. A victory in Monaco is undoubtedly one of his best achievements and it put him right back on track in the championship race. Further, a two-year contract extension means his future is secured.

Could this week get any better for Checo? Well, yes! Formula 1 moves to Azerbaijan this week, and it’s the venue where the Mexican celebrated his first victory for Red Bull. It seems like the Mexican can do no wrong at the moment. So it is only fair to say that he is one driver to look out for in Baku.

Sergio Perez will fancy his chances in Azerbaijan GP

Sergio Perez struggled for consistency in 2021. Of course, it takes time for every driver to adapt to the car. And with his future constantly questioned in the early part of this season, doubts about his ability started creeping in.

However, the Mexican’s confidence and self-belief, that has been his driving force throughout his career, has only intensified after the rumors. In the last 5 races, the 32-year-old has been on the podium 4 times, including the stunning win in Monaco.

As a result, he is only 15 points behind leader Max Verstappen in the championship and his eyes will be firmly set on battling the Dutchman right till the end. While the 2021 season saw him struggle to compete against Verstappen, this year has been completely different.

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From the first race of 2022, Perez was consistently close to his teammate in qualifying, and, in races, he demonstrated a huge development. While his form has been the talking point, there are some factors that could benefit him in Azerbaijan.

Does the Azerbaijan track suit Perez?

Let’s start with Perez’s history in this venue. The first race held in Baku during 2016, which was called the European GP, had fans on the edge of their seats. The Mexican who was driving for Force India qualified second and finished the race on the podium.

His only podium during the 2018 season also came in Baku. Despite receiving a 5-second penalty, the then Force India driver proved to be a menace throughout the race. He also finished 6th in this venue during the 2019 season, which was his highest finish on the grid that season.

And, of course, the 2021 race on this track was a special one for the Mexican. Although his position was propelled by Hamilton and Verstappen’s retirement, Perez kept his cool to win a chaotic race. So, Azerbaijan is arguably a circuit that he enjoys driving on.

Baku is also a unique track, with long straights and tight corners. With Red Bull having a clear straight-line pace over their competitors, the signs look good for Checo. Further, his improvement during the qualifying sessions puts him right on the map as one of the favorites to win the race.

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The fortunes are certainly swinging right in Perez’s direction. With that in mind, can he continue to maintain his form and win the race in Baku? Leave your predictions in the comments.