“Really disastrous,” Ex-F1 champion SLAMS Sergio Perez for not ‘coming close’ to Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez has scored a mere eight points in the previous four F1 outings.

“Really disastrous,” Ex-F1 champion SLAMS Sergio Perez for not ‘coming close’ to Max Verstappen

Damon Hill(L) and Sergio Perez(R), via IMAGO

The Milton-Keynes-based Red Bull outfit began the ongoing campaign with its 2023 momentum. Both of their drivers were finishing in formation and extending their lead in the constructor standings every weekend. However, this soon changed as the Austrian squad seemed to have hit a development ceiling, while Sergio Perez‘s inability to amass podiums acted as a double whammy for them. This has now urged Damon Hill to lament Perez’s performance and deem it disastrous for Red Bull.

Sergio Perez started the season as a strong second driver for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. However, as the campaign progressed, his 2023 form returned and fans saw him getting knocked out in Q1. This rang the alarm bell in Red Bull HQ as subsequently McLaren and Ferrari caught up to the Austrian manufacturer in development.

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This urged ex-F1 champion, Damon Hill to give a curt response on how Red Bull is currently in hot waters.

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He[Perez] has the best Formula 1 car apart from the McLaren, but he is not able to keep up with Max Verstappen's pace. That means there are usually about four to five grid positions between Verstappen and Perez. That's really disastrous for Red Bull if they want to score maximum points, let alone if they want him to have Verstappen's back.
Damon Hill said in an interview with Sky Sports F1

The Brit pointed out that the 34-year-old has the best car on the grid. Despite this advantage, he has been unable to match his teammate’s pace, and also other drivers who have been driving in inferior machinery. He further asserted that it is disastrous for Red Bull if they want to extend their lead in the constructor’s standings. The team has been constantly losing out on points due to Perez’s subpar results.

Red Bull needs Sergio Perez to perform in upcoming races

As indicated earlier, the Mexican has been trailing his teammate. Moreover, he has been whitewashed in the intra-team rivalry. His lack of results has left Red Bull in a tender position from where the lead of the championship could be at stake.

Red Bull's Helmut Marko with Sergio Perez
Helmut Marko with Sergio Perez (IMAGO)

This led Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner to assert that they desperately need Perez to perform.

We need Checo[Sergio Perez] in the mix, he knows that and the team know that. And if he’s on the back end of the top eight, you lose strategic options, whether you split your strategies and so on.
Christian Horner said in an interview with PlanetF1

The 50-year-old admitted that the team needs the former six-time race winner to perform as they have been losing out on crucial points. He further stated that due to Perez’s lackluster results, they have been losing out on strategic options to help out his teammate, which could be detrimental to winning the driver’s title.

On the other hand, Perez had overlooked his lack of pace in comparison to his world-champion teammate and claimed McLaren to be the fastest car on the grid. Thus, a conflict of interest seems to be appearing between both parties. Keeping everything in view, Red Bull could be left vulnerable in the following races if the Mexican cannot sort-out his difficulties.

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