Sergio Perez Pointed Toward Experienced No. 2 Driver in Battle With Max Verstappen

The 2022 season was the best year Sergio Perez has had in his long Formula 1 career. Amassing 305 points and finishing 3rd in the standings, he helped the team win the constructor’s championship. However, driving the same car as Max Verstappen, he didn’t pose much of a threat. His former manager Adrian Fernandez recently revealed what he needs to do in 2023 to pip his teammate to win his maiden world championship.

Red Bull did not start the season on a high. They DNF’d thrice in the first three races and struggled with the car’s weight-related issues. However, once they overcame all those problems, it was all smooth sailing for Max Verstappen. Max kept improving throughout the season as his teammate kept striving to adapt to the car.

Speaking with Motorsport.com, Fernandez said, “Max has of course been driving for Red Bull for some time and the team is built around him. Considering that, Checo is certainly not doing wrong and is probably doing exactly what the team wants him to do.” [Translated using Google]

“But he will soon have to step up a gear. And I think he knows that too. Red Bull was very strong last year, but if the competition is closer next season, it will be even more important for the team to have two drivers at the front,” he continued.

“Being fastest over a lap once, finishing a session on top or winning a race, it’s all well and good, if you’re going for the championship you’re going to have to be strong all season. Look at Valtteri Bottas. He spent years in the best car, but failed to become champion. The difference between him and Lewis? Consistency. That is what makes champions so special.”

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As Daniel Ricciardo joined Red Bull ahead of the 2023 season as the third driver, many saw the move as a threat to Checo’s position in the team. However, team consultant Helmut Marko assured him that his place was secured.

Helmut Marko believes Sergio Perez is capable of beating Max Verstappen to the championship

Helmut Marko is a man not known for mincing his words. If there is something wrong with his team or drivers, he is the first to point it out. If Sergio didn’t have it in him to become a champion, Marko would have pointed that out. However, he feels the opposite and believes Checo will have to be consistent, like Max to do that.

Sky Sports quoted him as saying, “Of course he can become world champion. But then he has to have the speed and clearly beat Max on the track. We generally don’t have team orders. Max is simply the more constant. Let’s see how that develops.” [Translated using Google] 

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By now, Checo should settle into the team well. It will be interesting to see how much of a fight he can give to his teammate and gun for his first world championship title.