Ex-Red Bull driver pinpoints moment of ‘mental disintegration’ for Sergio Perez in 2023

Mark Webber believes it was the Miami Grand Prix that served as a “mental disintegration” for Sergio Perez in his bid to win the title.

Heading to the first of three US races in 2023, Perez was on an even keel with team-mate Max Verstappen. Both had won two races and although Perez trailed Verstappen in the standings, it was only by six points compared to the now 152-point gap.

But the race in Miami saw Verstappen take the lead off Perez before going on a run of 10 consecutive victories. At the same time, Perez’s form fell away dramatically, most notably in qualifying.

Miami Grand Prix ‘disintegrated’ Sergio Perez’s confidence

While Verstappen may seem like a single-minded robot in his ability to block out noise, Perez has sometimes appeared to be a little more led by his emotions. A run of five consecutive non-appearances in Q3 seemed to be playing on his mind but Webber reckons the crux of his problems came Stateside.

“He started the season off pretty strong,” Webber said of Perez on Channel 4. “I think Miami for him was kind of a meltdown.

”他开始前排。麦克斯的penalty I believe [Editor’s note – Verstappen started P9 after Chalres Leclec’s crash prevented him from setting a time in Q3] he started to come through, drove through him [Perez] disappeared and he’s like ‘how did that happen?’

“That was an absolute mental disintegration for Sergio that afternoon in Miami. From then on, we’ve had so many weekends and it’s no excuse he’s a top flight Formula 1 driver, so many mixed conditions in terms of weather, generally not Sergio’s MO. He doesn’t like that disruptive weekend in terms of rhythm.

“So I think it’s a record year of wet sessions and wet weekends. That’s compounded his confidence. When he gets into a patch like he is now, can he get out of it?”

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Despite the criticism, Webber believes Perez’ seat is safe even if Chrisian Horner and Helmut Marko are “a little bit at odds” in their view on that.

“I think he’s safe,” the nine-time race winner said. “I think that they’ve openly said as much as they can. I think Helmut and Christian are a little bit at odds in terms of the position on that but I think they will stay with him.

“He’s a known product and he’s going to probably finish second in the championship which is not too bad at the end of the day.”

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