Damon Hill claims Red Bull need a better wingman for Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez is currently 177 points behind Max Verstappen.

Damon Hill claims Red Bull need a better wingman for Max Verstappen

Damon Hill, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Via IMAGO)

Sergio Perez’s upsetting race at Suzuka again highlighted the growing pressure and frustration between Red Bull and Perez. After an early collision with Lewis Hamilton, Perez raked up several penalties, ultimately forcing him to retire his car. Former world champion Damon Hill recently expressed his concerns over the big gap between Perez and Max Verstappen.

While Perez is still holding the second position in the WDC standings, Hill said that with teams like Ferrari and Mercedes looming behind, Red Bull can’t afford this kind of results from their second driver. He said that finding someone equal to Verstappen is very difficult, so they are in need for a wingman for him, someone who can hold his own ground. 

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“Then a bit of frustration crept in and it got worse and worse. That action on Magnussen was really out of desperation and maybe he was irritated by the position he was in. I think the team is desperate for something more of a wingman for Max. They know Max is almost unapproachable,” said Hill, as per motorsport.com.

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Perez’s second position in the standings has also come under threat after the Japanese Grand Prix. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton thinned the gap between the two to just 33 points after taking his 197th podium at Suzuka. With just six races remaining, Perez must work much harder to keep his place in the standings and with Red Bull.

In case you missed it: Ousted AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries returns to Formula E with Mahindra Racing 

Max Verstappen can claim his third World Championship at Qatar

After a long season of pure dominance, Max Verstappen is on the edge of taking home his third consecutive championship. While six races still remain this season, Verstappen needs just one to claim the title again. After hitting a speed bump at Singapore, he bounced back at Suzuka as he took all 26 points home after the race. Now, as things stand, he can claim the world title as soon as the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled to take place on eighth October.

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen (Credits: RacingNews365)

Mathematically, Verstappen will become the Champion in the Sprint race at Qatar if he finishes at least sixth, regardless of where Sergio Perez finishes. While the atmosphere during the sprint might not be what one might want after winning the championship, Verstappen has said he does not care when or where he wins it.

After Verstappen wraps up the season in Qatar, the race for second place in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles will be one to watch. Teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are all in the cutthroat battle for P2, and with time running out, they will be more aggressive than ever.

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