As Red Bull dominates another F1 season in 2023, one story dominates the headlines – Sergio Perez. Although, instead of tales of victory, we hear a confusing narrative of a talented driver struggling amidst perceived challenges. And in doing so, he unwittingly casts a spotlight on the tribulations of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. Is Perez genuinely having a tough time, or is he failing to appreciate his enviable position in one of F1’s top teams?

For seven long years, Red Bull Racing found itself incapable to fight for world titles. 2021, however, brought a much-needed reversal & with the entry of a reliable & experienced Sergio Perez, the team has been a force to reckon with ever since. Though it’s perplexing that Perez, blessed with a top-tier car, finds himself consistently placing blame on the team for his difficulties on the track. Especially when any driver would leap at the chance to be in his shoes.

The journalists at Dutch magazine F1 Maximaal dissected Perez’s rollercoaster journey with Red Bull. They cited how, despite his grievances, Perez seems to overlook the benefits he has with Red Bull. They stated, “Red Bull is known for its strong strategic team, so if Pérez is not happy with Red Bull’s choices, he can count himself lucky that he is not driving for Ferrari. [Sergio] Pérez is the only driver with the same material as [Max] Verstappen, so if anyone has no right to complain, it’s the Mexican.” [translated via Google]

Rather than focusing on his difficulties, Perez would do well to appreciate his situation. Considering the miseries Charles Leclerc is facing with Ferrari, Checo is privileged to have a relatively sorted team & fast car. By learning from his teammate and capitalizing on Red Bull’s strengths, he can turn his performance around. After all, Checo is indeed lucky that Red Bull saved his career from ending in 2020.

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While the world grapples with the contradictions of Perez’s F1 saga, a second perspective surfaces – that of the immense pressure and expectations.

Sergio Perez and the unbearable weight of expectations

As Verstappen effortlessly dominates, the onus on Perez to perform only increases. However, his repeated claims of pressure seem laughable. If early-season stress is causing missteps, one wonders how he’d fare in the nerve-racking final stages of a title fight. It’s a pressure, however, that Perez seems to create himself, shouting his ambitions from the rooftops while most drivers prefer to keep expectations in check.

Moreover, the “bad luck” Perez keeps alluding to, is hard to discern. Instances like the ones in Saudi Arabia and Baku, which Perez attributes to bad luck, were merely unfortunate for Verstappen and advantageous for him. The crucial points he’s lost to his “bad luck” could have been Verstappen’s gain had the situations reversed.

As we stand at the crossroads of the F1 season, it’s evident that Perez’s travails are a mix of self-imposed pressure, undelivered promises, and a failure to appreciate the incredible opportunities Red Bull has given him. Drivers like Hamilton, Alonso, or Norris would likely give an arm and a leg to be in Perez’s position. If only he could see the “red” Ferrari through his own Silver lining!

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