Dutch F1 pundit ruthlessly brands Sergio Perez the ‘FLOP’ of the 2023 season

Sergio Perez had an average finish of 4.20 whereas his teammate rocked a stunning 1.27 average.

Dutch F1 pundit ruthlessly brands Sergio Perez the ‘FLOP’ of the 2023 season

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Via IMAGO)

The 2023 season emerged as a pinnacle of dominance in motorsport. Red Bull, led by Max Verstappen, showcased unparalleled prowess, securing victory in 21 out of 22 races. Verstappen claimed triumph in 19 of these races, while teammate Sergio Perez tasted victory on only two occasions. Despite a promising start, Perez’s season flagged, prompting Dutch F1 pundit Tom Coronel to dub him the “FLOP” of the 2023 season.

Initially a title contender, Perez claimed victory in two of the first four races, trailing Verstappen by a single point. Post the Miami GP, however, his performance dwindled, and podium appearances dwindled. As Verstappen consistently dominated, Perez faced challenges in midfield battles, marking a stark contrast to his earlier competitive form.

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Tom Coronel of the Formule1 Magazine spoke about Perez saying, “There can only be one flop of the season and that’s him.” He asserted that occasional disappointment is excusable, but persistent lapses merit termination. Coronel suggested that Red Bull;

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Should simply buy out that contract and tell Perez to grab a few Caipirinhas on the beach in Mexico and never come back.

On the other hand, Verstappen had a record-breaking season securing 19 victories, elevating him to the third position in career wins, trailing only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Coronel lauded his compatriot saying;

He doesn't give presents. Not at Christmas, not on your birthday. Never.

Tom Coronel calls Sergio Perez a “softie” in comparison to Max Verstappen

Red Bull and Verstappen exhibited near-perfection, facing only a solitary grid penalty at the Belgian GP. The sole race penalty occurred in the Vegas GP, as Verstappen’s maneuver forced Charles Leclerc off the racing line. Remarkably, he triumphed in both instances, underscoring the team’s and driver’s exceptional performance throughout the season.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Credits: Infobae)

Coronel, noting this said, “As a neutral viewer you would wish Max a five-second penalty every race.” He emphasized that it’s primarily due to the intense passion, resulting in a captivating spectacle. Verstappen has been putting in massive margins and winning races with over 20-second margins. Comparing Max with Perez Coronel said;

Compared to Max, Perez is a softie, a tourist.

While Perez achieved a career-best runner-up position behind his three-time champion teammate, it was hard-fought despite having a dominant car. Late in the season, he faced a challenge from Hamilton for the second spot, narrowly retaining it. Despite Coronel’s critique, Perez’s season lacked notable high points, substantiating the assessment of a challenging campaign.

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