Street Specialist Sergio Perez’s Advantages Defined as Max Verstappen Put on the Backfoot with F1 Title Battle Moving to Monaco

119 to 105. A 14-point difference stands between the two Red Bull drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, as the circus heads towards one of the most iconic destinations on the calendar, the Monaco GP. Generally given a bad name due to the lack of overtakes, the 2.07-mile-long circuit could certainly witness great action between the two of them. And with rain poised to come into action over the weekend, it’s all about to get spicy, much like last year.

Heading into this round, much like the season, Max Verstappen has been called the favorite. Even though Fernando Alonso could spoil his party, Verstappen’s Mexican teammate, also called the “King of the Streets” would be the favorite one to have an edge over him. What only raises more concern for Verstappen is Sergio Perez’s record this year of winning two street GPs.

Now, backing Sergio Perez as a great challenge for the defending champion, Peter Windsor has presented his analysis. Windsor has been quoted by F1 Maximaal from a video saying, “At least Perez has… He has Saint Devote, the exit of Casino Square, the exit of Mirabeau. That’s three. Then he has the exit from Portier, four. He has the exit of the Chicane, five. Then the exit of Rascasse, six, and he has that last bend to the pit lane. So he has seven turns. There are only four curves he doesn’t have. He’ll be good at all those curves, just as much as Max at coming out. He’ll be just as good in terms of tire management.”

“It doesn’t matter what you do in those bends, if you’re that good in the middle of the corner. I think Max on top of the hill, Casino Square will be phenomenal. There he will be stronger, but Perez will make up for that. He will be very good again downhill from Casino.”

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Windsor certainly puts Checo on par with Verstappen. His reputation as a great street circuit racer would only add pressure on Verstappen.

Max Verstappen vs. Sergio Perez: who’s better in Monaco?

Sergio Perez has been running his car in Monaco since 2011. The 33-year-old has thus competed here in 11 editions, compared to Verstappen’s seven since 2015. So, let’s have a look at their numbers head-to-head, even though the two have been driving together only since 2021.

In 2015 and 2016, Verstappen registered DNFs and has been on the podium twice, winning in 2021 and P3 in 2022. Perez, on the other hand, has also been on the podium twice in the same period, having won last year and P3 in 2016. But looking at the points won overall, Perez has 58, whereas his teammate has 64.

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Thus, for both of them, the challenge will be uphill. Neither of them can afford a poor race, as it could hamper their momentum going into future weekends.