“I’m pretty relaxed,” Sergio Perez doesn’t think Daniel Ricciardo’s arrival ‘changes anything’ for him
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Sergio Perez
Four seasons after his departure, Daniel Ricciardo will return to Red Bull, this time as a ‘third driver’. However, the team have made it very clear that this role is not in preparation for a full-time seat, and both Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have emphasized his marketing potential, which provides an indication of where he may be utilized. Marko also considers him to be one of the ‘best-suited’ for showruns (of course, he will still attend some race weekends). Sergio Perez is also not worried about his position at Red Bull.
Perez is on a contract till the end of 2024, and it’s plain to see that he took a step forward from 2021. He gave a better challenge to Max Verstappen (even though he ultimately fell considerably short) in 2022 but eventually lost out to Charles Leclerc for P2 – who, it’s fair to say, had the far, far worse car in the second half of the season. There are a few matters of concern. Perez and Verstappen had a bit of a moment in Brazil, where the latter refused to let the Mexican pass despite team orders.
If he stumbles in 2023, then that may open a small window of opportunity for Ricciardo. However, even that is a rather unlikely situation. But anything is possible even if the team are more likely to look to someone like Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson. Despite this apparent pressure from the Australian’s return, Perez is ‘relaxed’: Speaking to Sky Sports, the Mexican commented: “I’m pretty relaxed. We live under a lot of pressure all the time, it doesn’t change anything from my side.”
Perez then went on to praise Ricciardo, and felt that he will contribute a lot to Red Bull: “I think it’s a great achievement from the team to have a driver like Daniel. He’s going to contribute a lot to our team.” It’s also interesting to note the wording of Ricciardo’s role as a ‘third’ driver. Liam Lawson, who will compete in Super Formula in 2022, will continue as a reserve driver for the team.
Sergio Perez praises Daniel Ricciardo as a ‘great guy’
Daniel Ricciardo did not perform so well in his two years with McLaren, but he continues to be one of the most popular and well-loved drivers on the grid, and is fondly called ‘The Honey Badger’. While some think his arrival may put pressure on Sergio Perez, the Mexican himself is glad to have him in the team, and even called him a ‘great guy’.
Perez said that he gets on well with Ricciardo and that it’s great to have him in the team: “He’s a great guy, he’s one of the guys I get on most with on the paddock. It’s great to have Daniel in the team and from my side it doesn’t change anything. We started our careers at a similar time so we’ve known each other a long time. I certainly get on with him.”
In any case, Ricciardo, who is not on the grid next season, will be the least of Perez’s worries. The Mexican has reaffirmed his desire to be world champion multiple times, but to achieve that, he will have to weather the storm known as Max Verstappen. But after his own teammate, there are other contenders, such as the four drivers at Ferrari and Mercedes – both of whom may catch Red Bull next year.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)