The 2023 season is nearing the end, and for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the year has been phenomenal from the get-go. The Milton Keynes outfit has knocked it out of the park with the RB19, breaking historical records on the way. However, how Verstappen one his third title has highlighted a certain driver’s struggle throughout this season. Unfortunately for the Red Bull bosses, it’s his very own teammate, Sergio Perez! After all, Verstappen’s lackluster title decider came during the sprint race in Qatar, when Perez crashed out, essentially resigning from the world driver’s championship.
Even though the constructor’s title has been taken home to Milton Keynes, Sergio Perez is still under Christian Horner’s good graces, but it may not last for long. The Red Bull boss has repeatedly been vocal about the pressure on Perez to step up, given that teams like McLaren have two competent drivers.
This can become a real threat to Red Bull’s 2024 ambitions, given the improvement the Papaya-clad outfit is making. The US GP would turn the heat up even higher for Red Bull, with Mercedes upping their game with a new update.
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It’s no wonder that the pressure is on Perez to perform at his home circuit during the Mexican GP. However, his father, Antonio Perez wants to block the haters! His optimism for Perez’s future with the reigning champions knew no bounds. A tweet shared by @RBR_Daily reflected Papa Perez’s hopes for his 33-year-old son.
Antonio Pérez says Checo will definitely drive with Max in the same team for the next 10 years 💪
"Checo will certainly drive with Max in the same team for another ten years. And in those ten years, Checo might win a world championship. I like that my son is competing with the… pic.twitter.com/in2qF4xgoi
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) October 28, 2023
He shared, “Checo will certainly drive with Max in the same team for another ten years. And in those ten years, Checo might win a world championship. I like that my son is competing with the best driver in the world. And the best driver in the world right now is Max Verstappen.” – in his pursuit to block the haters, Antonio Perez ended up fuelling the fire with his bold claims! The fans had a field day trying to fathom his confidence.
Fans can’t help but go hysterical after Sergio Perez’s father makes a ‘bold claim’
With the odds stacking up against the Mexican Minister of Defence, Perez is relying on the love from his home fans to boost his morale. Unfortunately, Antonio Perez’s ambitious shenanigans have landed the Mexican in the fans’ crosshairs once again! Safe to say the replies had more sarcasm than Sherlock had witnessed.
His father is hopeful that Sergio Perez has a shot at staying with Red Bull for 10 more years! – We hate to break it to you, Papa Perez! The fans don’t think Perez is at Alonso’s level yet! This fan was baffled by the expectations set by Perez’s father, given the Mexican’s choppy results in the previous races.
10 years??? i need his optimism in my life https://t.co/z2QSiLFXTJ
— conni (@V3RLEC) October 28, 2023
Other fans took inspiration from his mood, curious as to what he was taking to have such a positive outlook on the situation.
i want whatever he’s having https://t.co/d43d1dbpsz
— tills (@selstappen) October 28, 2023
If one were to take an educated guess, fans thought it would not be surprising if Patron’s partnership with Sergio Perez had paid dividends to his father!
The Tequila is Tequilaing 🤣
— PitStopHoney (@PitStopHoney) October 28, 2023
But seriously though, 10 years is a long tenure! The one driver that comes to mind is Michael Schumacher, who drove for Ferrari from 1996 to 2006. Fans dismissed this expectation very quickly, stating even Verstappen would not last that long.
nah bro the delusion??! even max wouldn't last that long https://t.co/9UybVec6S9
— annie (@nyctophiliaa21) October 28, 2023
The Perez slander did not stop there. The F1 fans are quick to shut down anyone showcasing arrogance or just blind positivity – how can Sergio Perez think of keeping a seat for ten years when he is under immediate threat from the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson? This fan gave the Mexican a cold reality check!
Ummm. A bold claim. Let’s start at 10 months. #F1 #MexicoGP https://t.co/TmKFBcond3
— Christian Hewgill 🎙 (@ChrisHewgill) October 28, 2023
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Another use was quick to point out Perez’s age, the Mexican is reaching his final years in the sport, as even Lewis Hamilton might not be here in 5 years.
Does he know Checo is 33 already? Not even Lewis will be at 43 in F1 💀 https://t.co/qQyuTTiU5q
— LimitlessF1 (@Formula1Jd) October 28, 2023
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While it’s wholesome how much support the career Sergio Perez has built gets from his father, unrealistic standards do not escape the ruthless F1 fans! The pressure is on Perez now to deliver and live up to his father’s expectations, to some extent at least!
WATCH THIS STORY | How a Euphoric Sergio Perez Hilariously Leaked His Red Bull Contract Announcement at Monaco