Max Verstappen Banking on Perez’s Mercedes Secrets To Help Red Bull

Red Bull have had a big problem for the last two seasons. That is the lack of consistent high points finishes from their second drivers. This problem has plagued them since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo in 2019. They’ve looked to rectify by signing wily Sergio Perez instead of the flailing Alexander Albon for 2021. Max Verstappen has been impressed by the Mexican’s early impact at the team.

Albon had endured a very bad 2020 season which saw him descend further into his nervous hole. This affected him and shattered his confidence in his natural ability. His main failing was his inability to get Red Bull the points their car deserved. 

At many points, he finished way outside the podium positions and was fighting with the Alpha Tauri of the man he replaced, Pierre Gasly for track position. What didn’t help was the fact that Gasly won his maiden Grand Prix in 2020, with a decidedly inferior car.

Max Verstappen thinks Perez could be the team’s catalyst to success

In an interview (translated via Google), the Dutchman was very impressed by Perez’s time in F1. He said, “I expect he will do well, as he has done in his entire Formula 1 career.”

The Dutchman further elaborated by talking about the experience the Mexican will bring. He said, “I think it can make quite a difference. If things don’t go well, you can be hit hard by the pressure in Formula 1.”

“But if you already have a lot of experience and have been through a lot of things, then you can concentrate better on things that really matter.”

The young driver also felt the experienced Perez could maybe share his knowledge of the Mercedes power unit, he raced with at Racing Point. He said, “He can pass on his findings and the main differences to the team. In that respect he can certainly help us or at least give the team new insights about certain themes.”

“This mainly concerns information that he can bring with him from other teams and other engine suppliers.”

Will the Raging Bulls compete and give the Dutchman a title-winning car?

Red Bull have always been victims of slow starts as they’ve had trouble correlating their wind tunnel findings with on-track data. They have failed to win the initial races in recent years. Because of this they have fallen behind Mercedes within the first few races. 

Honda have announced that they have brought forward the updates they had planned for 2022 in 2021. This is because they would be leaving the sport. This interesting development could maybe give them that initial boost to win races.

So, if Red Bull want Verstappen to compete in the Championship, they should be on it from the start. If that happens, they will put early pressure on Mercedes and maybe force the German outfit into some unforced errors like they did in Sakhir in 2020.