‘Max Wants to Assert Himself’ Over New Arrival Sergio Perez, Claims Red Bull Advisor Marko

There are some doubts over the kind of relationship that the new Red Bull driver pairing of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will share. Checo wasn’t really the Dutchman’s preferred choice, with Max reportedly vying for his good friend Nico Hulkenberg. However, that’s now in the past, and the team’s advisor Dr Helmut Marko gave a positive report of the duo’s first meeting when they tested the newest Red Bull car.

The Austrian said (translated by Google), “So far there have hardly been any intersections. So everything is perfect.”

However, Dr Marko made it clear what his ace driver’s ideas were. Verstappen is undoubtedly the team’s lead driver and is someone with whom Red Bull envision themselves to win the trophy. As such, the Austrian said that the Dutchman is keen to exert his authority over the new arrival.

He said, “We’ll soon see what the races look like. There will be no presents from either of them. Max wants to assert himself and show Sergio that he was wrongly underestimated.”

But the Mexican won’t be any pushover. Checo has been in the sport for a decade and is a driver who is in top form, having finished 2020 as the best of the rest. This teammate rivalry will definitely be one to keep an eye out for.

Dr Helmut Marko talks about Sergio Perez’s integration at Red Bull

The advisor to the Milton Keynes-based outfit said, “Sergio has integrated very well. He was already able to provide us with valuable information, especially with regard to the Mercedes engine. You can tell straight away that he’s been in Formula 1 for ten years, has a lot of routine.”

Perez‘s predecessors have struggled to drive the car and have landed up battling in the mid-field instead of challenging Mercedes at the front. However, it appears he has gotten off to a positive start, having decoded why his predecessors have struggled. Now, he needs to find a way to counter it and be successful.

Can Sergio Perez be the driver Red Bull want him to be? Can he support Verstappen in bringing the championship back to Milton Keynes? We shall find out soon.

Also Read: Red Bull Hiding ‘Pretty Big Surprises’ on 2021 F1 Car: Buxton