Helmut Marko explains the significant steps Sergio Perez has taken to close the gap on Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez has been backed by Christian Horner and Helmut Marko ahead of the COTA GP.

Helmut Marko explains the significant steps Sergio Perez has taken to close the gap on Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. (Via SB Nation)

Sergio Perez’s performance this season has been overshadowed by his dominating teammate Max Verstappen. Although Perez is second in the championship standings, the points gap between both teammates is a mammoth 209 points. Verstappen has 14 race wins this season as compared to the two wins for Perez.

Helmut Marko, advisor at Red Bull, has been vocal about his thoughts regarding the steps Perez is taking to close the gap on Verstappen. As reported by racingnews365.com, Marko claimed that the gap between both racers is ‘marginal’. He also observed that in terms of individual sectors, the differences were minimal, with gaps of a fraction of a second here and there. Marko also mentioned an upward trend in Perez’s performance, noting that Perez needed to link the race sectors more effectively.

YouTube video

F1 drivers often spend a day in the simulator to prepare for the upcoming race. However, according to Marko, Perez had requested several days on the simulator to prepare for the COTA GP. Marko said:

FS Video
Normally you sit in the simulator for one day in preparation, but he asked to spend three days in the simulator. This shows he is serious and wants to do everything he can to become competitive again.

Helmut Marko further claimed that Perez wants to be competitive again. So, he even gave his moral support to Checo. Now, all eyes are on the COTA GP as the Mexican promises to do better in the States.

Sergio Perez promised a better result at the COTA GP.

Ahead of the American weekend, Sergio Perez claimed that he would perform well at the COTA GP. The Mexican racer added that the Texas GP and the Mexico City GP are among his favorite destinations. Perez talked about the continued support that he receives at these races. Perez is sure he can perform better at this level in the United States GP.

Red Bull's Helmut Marko and Sergio Perez
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko and Sergio Perez (via IMAGO)

Even Perez talked about his multiple sessions at Milton Keynes. He added that he was working very hard with the team and engineers ahead of the COTA GP. The team discussed where Perez had gone wrong and what he could do to further improve his results in the remainder of the session.

Perez is aware of his disappointing results recently. Yet, the 33-year-old racer still believes that he has a lot to offer Formula 1. He also talked about his seat at Red Bull for the next year and showed hope for a renewal of his contract. The Mexican continued to say that he plans on staying on the grid for two or three more years.

In case you missed: