‘I want to come back stronger’: Sergio Perez after being miles behind Max Verstappen at the Belgian GP
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Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen on the Baku Podium
Max Verstappen was in a league of his own in Belgium. The car was untouchable, and so was the Dutchman. Such was his dominance that his teammate, Sergio Perez, could scarcely keep up with him. Verstappen eventually won the race by a difference of almost 18 seconds, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he started 14th, and was already in the lead by lap 12.
Verstappen has not always been able to do dominate his teammate this season in such fashion – The early parts of the season provide ample evidence for that. While Verstappen has obviously been the better driver, Perez has improved from last season, and the car seemed to suit him, until now, when the general feeling is that car development has started to move away from his comfort.
The Mexican driver was obviously not happy with his gap to Verstappen in Belgium, and his recent statement, as per GPBlog, reflects that fact: “We will analyse everything from Belgium as a Team to see where we can get closer to Max, I want to make sure we can come back stronger.”
Also Read: Sergio Perez sympathizes with Daniel Ricciardo: ‘I’ve been in that situation before’
Sergio Perez excited to return to Zandvoort
Next up for the team is the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort: Max Verstappen’s home race. Last year, Perez had started the race from the pit lane, but had a good recovery race, eventually finishing 8th. Max Verstappen started in pole position, and finished the race on top, winning by more than 20 seconds to second-placed Lewis Hamilton.
Obviously, even if the result for him was good, Belgium ended up being a rather disappointing weekend in terms of pace for the Mexican driver. He wants to make sure that isn’t the case this weekend: “I want to make sure we can come back stronger. I have work to do and want to keep pushing, I think this circuit will pull us all closer together so it’s going to be an exciting weekend.”
Sergio Perez is also excited to be back in Zandvoort: “It’s great to be back in Zandvoort, it’s a brilliant place. The Dutch fans are amazing for the Team and their support for Max is crazy, it’s great. It’s a good track here, it’s very challenging and we hope to keep the momentum we had in Belgium.”
With Charles Leclerc’s disappointing weekend in Belgium, where he only managed sixth, Perez has moved into second place again, where he would try his best to stay. While Verstappen is currently running away with it, the battle for second place is still very much open, with 21 points separating Perez, Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and George Russell.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)