Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Sergio Perez has unleashed a new level of performance in 2023, making him the sole driver in contention with Max Verstappen for the drivers’ championship.
After a difficult first two seasons with Red Bull, the Mexican looked to rectify his weaknesses within the car last winter, with Max Verstappen the clear number one in the team.
Speaking about his approach to the challenge, he said: ”I sat down with my engineers to go through it, because I was pretty disappointed [with last year] – I didn’t have good race pace.
“I think we managed to understand a lot of things and we’ve been much better in that regard this year.”
Perez has a reputation for being one of the sport’s finest tyre whisperers. But, the move to Red Bull has tested his abilities, and demanded a new approach.
“When I came to Red Bull, the way you look after the tyres around the teams is very different,” he said. “So I had to learn a lot on how to look after the tyres in a Red Bull car. I think in my first year, I got better towards the end of the year. But, with the regulation change, I was not able to look after them properly.
“I feel now that I’m much better at it. With the understanding of a Red Bull car, I feel much more like a Red Bull driver.”
With another 18 races left this season, there’s plenty of time for rival teams like Ferrari and Mercedes to play catch up. That doesn’t mean that Red Bull are going to sit back and let that happen.
“There is still more to come, more and more to come in that regard in becoming more of a Red Bull driver, and the way to drive the Red Bull car,” the Mexican said. “I think, once you are really established in a team, and you understand the concept of a car, you are able to extract the maximum. That only comes with time, and the more time you spend with a team, the better.”
While Perez has worked tirelessly to improve upon his weaknesses, he also understands the importance of understanding his teammates’ weaknesses in his quest to become win the title.
“Well obviously, when you win the race on pure pace, you’ve done better than your team-mate,” Perez said in Miami. “And I’m sure that Max and his team are going to have a look at that and make sure they understand, and that’s why it’s important from our side that we are able to understand those weaknesses.
“And I’m sure that Max and his team are going to have a look at that and make sure they understand, and that’s why it’s important from our side that we are able to understand those weaknesses.”
With a short turnaround before this week’s Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen has little time to fix his shortcomings, as Perez looks to snatch the lead away from him in the Drivers’ Championship.
We will find out whether the Red Bulls can take the fight to each other when the action starts on Friday, with FP1 for the Miami Grand Prix starting at 7.30pm BST.
