Lewis Hamilton has come out in support of Sergio Perez ahead of the Mexican’s home Grand Prix on Sunday.
The British driver and seven-time World Champion trails Perez by 30 points heading into this weekend as they battle for P2 in the Drivers’ Championship.
It’s been a tough run of races for Perez since the final European one at Monza when he finished a solid P2 to Max Verstappen in early September. He’s 226 points behind the Dutchman at present.
Speaking to Fox Sports Mexico, Hamilton praised Perez for staying so strong in such a tough position.
“I haven’t been in the exact position that Checo has been in. But as a driver, I understand the psychological and mental pressures weigh so heavily on you — it’s hard to explain and put into words.
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
“I think he has got amazing support around him. I think he’s carried himself really well.”
The 103-time Grand Prix winner then turned his attention towards Helmut Marko. While not naming the Austrian directly, Hamilton accused Marko of damaging Perez psychologically.
Marko accused Perez of lacking concentration and focus after the Italian Grand Prix, declaring that it was because of where he’s from. It sparked a massive backlash online. The Red Bull advisor eventually apologised.
“I don’t think his team have been massively supportive of him. I wouldn’t say ‘the team’, because there’s a lot of people in a team. But there’s been one particular spokesperson who has not been really great in helping psychologically.
“If I heard Toto talking negatively about me on the weekends, it would be really quite tough.
“A difficult environment for him, but I think he’s dealt with it to the best of his ability.”
Perez started the year strongly, winning in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan to push Verstappen hard in the first four rounds. However, things have completely fallen away since he lost to Verstappen in Miami.
Hamilton hopes his Mexican colleague can take power from the crowd this weekend to boost his performance, just like F1’s most successful ever driver does at Silverstone.
“I was so excited for him at the beginning of the year because he was driving so well. At one point I think he was in the lead of the [drivers’] championship and I thought ‘shoot, we’ve finally got the best of Checo’, but it is a very long year and a very long season. It is the most demanding sport I think that there is.
“But the best thing I think about Checo is that he just keeps getting back up and keeps trying. One thing for sure is that Mexico is going to show out for him this weekend. When I am at Silverstone it gives you an extra bit of time. I’ve no doubt this weekend he’ll have that.”
