Helmut Marko asserts Sergio Perez didn’t get ‘destroyed by Max Verstappen’ at Bahrain GP despite 22 seconds gap

Sergio Perez has proved second best at Red Bull since joining the team in 2021.

Helmut Marko asserts Sergio Perez didn’t get ‘destroyed by Max Verstappen’ at Bahrain GP despite 22 seconds gap

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

Max Verstappen won the Bahrain GP last Sunday, after a dominant lead over his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez. Subsequently, this raised questions about the Mexican and his ability to drive the RB20. Helmut Marko has defended the 34-year-old in a recent interview despite finishing more than 22 seconds behind.

Pérez had qualified P5 for the race on Sunday and was behind Ferrari and Mercedes on the grid. Following this poor qualifying performance, the Mexican had to battle his way to the front. However, Perez was pressured from behind throughout the race by a fast Carlos Sainz, who eventually finished just two seconds behind despite being in a slower car.

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The Red Bull consultant is known for a sudden change of mind even if a driver is just a few tenths behind. However, this time, the Mexican was off Verstappen by an eternity, but still, the Austrian defended him and said:

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Yes, it was a very good race for him. Don’t forget that he was stuck behind the Mercedes and Ferrari cars for a while, but once he was in free air he showed competitive lap times. But yes, he has Max as his team-mate. So not to be destroyed by Max is already a big achievement.
Helmut Marko said as reported by motorsport.com

The 80-year-old while defending Perez for his performance, praised him for not being destroyed by his triple-champion teammate. Even while asserting the Mexican was on par, the Austrian praised the Dutchman. Thus, the six-time Grand Prix winner’s seat is in the balance of whether he will stay at Milton Keynes or an Aussie in the name of Daniel Ricciardo would replace him at any moment.

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What are the targets for Sergio Perez during the 2024 F1 season?

Perez finished runners-up in a race for the first time since last year’s Italian GP. Despite that, the Mexican finished ages behind his teammate, and this must have been quite awkward for him. Subsequently, questions are getting asked in the paddock about what are the minimum targets for the Mexican driver to retain his seat in the Red Bull team.

Christian Horner and Sergio Perez (Via: Imago)
Christian Horner and Sergio Perez (Via: Imago)

Following the Bahrain GP, Christian Horner stated:

There's no set criteria. He's got to do enough to earn that seat, and days like today are exactly what he's got to deliver.
Christian Horner said as reported by motorsport.com

Horner explained that there are no set targets for the Mexican. Moreover, Perez needs to perform at par or near the Dutchman to just bring home the constructors trophy for the Austrian outfit.

Despite all this, Sergio Perez would like to take on the challenge with his teammate in the next race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which has been one of his favorites. Now the paddock looks on towards the race in Saudi Arabia and Perez’s exploits in the mighty RB20.

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