Sergio Perez admits where he struggles compared to ‘special’ Max Verstappen

Thomas Maher 27 Sep 2023 3:45 PM

Red Bull's Sergio Perez at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has spoken candidly about the area he feels he struggles most compared to teammate Max Verstappen.

Perez has struggled for consistent form throughout 2023, alongside the relentless onslaught of Max Verstappen as his teammate as the Dutch driver has won all bar three races so far this season.

In his third year alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, this season has perhaps been Perez’s weakest – that’s despite starting the year strongly as he beat Verstappen in a straight fight in two of the first four races.

Sergio Perez: Max Verstappen is ‘always’ at 100%

Opening up on some of the struggles he’s faced at Red Bull this year, coming to terms with the consistency of his teammate, Perez outlined where he feels Verstappen’s greatest strengths lie – and why it’s such a big ask to reach the same level.

“Verstappen can adapt very quickly,” hetold De Limburger.

“I struggle a bit more with that. As a result, he managed to get more out of the car and also to do it every weekend.

“这是什么g I admire about him anyway. Max always and everywhere performs at the top of his game and is always 100 per cent.

“That’s what I find most special about him. He is also a hard worker who understands very well why he is successful. If there is a setback, he knows immediately why.”

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Sergio Perez: I won’t ask Max Verstappen to let me win in Mexico

佩雷斯在一辆车,可以赢得墨西哥城Grand Prix, his home event, he explained that winning that exact race is a dream he wants to achieve. However, with Verstappen near unbeatable alongside him, such a dream might remain just that.

However, no matter how much he wants it, Perez said there is no way he would ever ask his teammate to commit an act of charity and simply let him win – if victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is to happen, Perez wants to do it on merit.

“Apart from becoming World Champion, it is my biggest dream: a victory in Mexico means everything to me,” he said.

“It’s a war of attrition every year, that home race and the GP in Austin a week earlier. There is a lot that comes at me around those races, but as soon as the visor closes my focus is on racing.

“I’m going to do everything I can to win in Mexico. Whether I will ask Verstappen if he will let me win there? No. Otherwise, that win would mean nothing to me. I want to do it on my own.”