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Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the drivers’ parade ahead of the race REUTERS/Brian Snyder
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Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 23, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the drivers’ parade ahead of the race REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Sergio Perez has faced criticism for his performance in what is considered to be a rocket ship of a car on the grid – the Red Bull RB19. There have been whispers about Perez’s possible replacement in the team have been swirling recently. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Perez delivered a critical and perfectly timed performance, securing his 32nd career podium and marking his first ever at the Hungaroring. While Red Bull bosses including Helmut Marko may be happy for now, the Austrian boss has tried to console Checo in his style, while also giving a reality check.
The Budapest podium was crucial for Perez who had been going through a rough patch, with a meagre two podiums in the past six races despite driving the dominant Red Bull car. It’s a vehicle that has taken the top spot in all eleven races this season, mostly due to his teammate Max Verstappen‘s prowess. Thus, the Hungarian Grand Prix showcased Perez’s capabilities as he started from ninth position on a track notorious for being challenging to overtake.
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Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – July 23, 2023 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez celebrates on the podium with a trophy after finishing third in the Hungarian Grand Prix REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, praised Pérez’s performance, appreciating his recovery, overtaking skills, and overall pace during the race. While Horner has already backed the Mexican driver to retain his position at RBR, Marko gave a strict take on how Sergio can do it.
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The Red Bull taskmaster emphasizes that Perez must work on improving his performance & not worry about what Verstappen is doing. According to Marca, Marko said, “Sergio Perez’s contract runs until the end of 2024, but he needs to improve… We tell him to concentrate and stop looking at Max. He needs to relax a bit.” [translated via Google]
Helmut Marko’s critical comments about Perez can’t overshadow the driver’s real talent. Yes, motorsport critiques are common, but Sergio Perez’s record speaks for itself. His performances prove that he’s a force to be reckoned with on the track.
Acknowledging Sergio Perez’s Skill Amidst Helmut Marko’s Critique
Sergio Perez put on a show at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, making a significant leap from ninth to third place. This accomplishment put an extra gloss on Red Bull’s history-making 12th consecutive win, as Max Verstappen dominated the race.
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Formula One F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – July 23, 2023 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez being interviewed after finishing third REUTERS/Marton Monus
Christian Horner was full of accolades for Perez’s standout performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He highlighted Perez’s superb recovery, his fearless overtaking maneuvers, and impressive speed on the track. Horner stated that Perez’s performance clearly declared that no one should underestimate him in any way. The Red Bull boss firmly believed that this outstanding race would significantly boost Perez’s confidence going forward. In agreement with Horner’s assessment, Perez himself acknowledged the importance of such strong showings.
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The Mexican driver had a rough start to the Hungarian Grand Prix. His car crashed in Friday’s opening practice and damaged some tires during the second session. Yet, he pushed through these hurdles. His starting position was ninth, showing progress from his recent races. Perez outdid expectations despite these challenges. His performance was exceptional, especially considering the huge pressure he was under. This was particularly true with Ricciardo joining Red Bull’s sister team – AlphaTauri. The rumors about Ricciardo being ready to take his place only increased the stress.
As the season continues, it’ll be exciting to watch Sergio Perez. Can he maintain his momentum? Can he prove his worth consistently in the high-pressure world of Formula 1? Time will tell.
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