Red Bull’s system of favoring Max Verstappen is ‘failing’ due to Sergio Perez’s championship ambitions: Alain Prost
The former world champion believes the Red Bull system focused around Max Verstappen has started to show cracks.
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Alain Prost, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
Red Bull Racing is the favorite for the 2023 F1 season. The Austrian team is miles ahead of the competition, with reigning world champion Max Verstappen bagging two wins. However, things have started heating up at Milton Keynes as Sergio Perez puts up a challenge against the Dutch driver. Four-time world champion Alain Prost believes this fight has put Red Bull in a crisis.
The Frenchman stated that till now, the Austrian team followed a one-driver system. Wherein, the team focused solely on its main driver, Max Verstappen. This system has been pressured as Perez goes head-to-head with the Dutchman. Alain Prost explained, “Its system of favoring a single driver, Max Verstappen, which has worked so well, is showing its first signs of failure.”
Further, Prost mentioned that Sergio is now at home at Red Bull. As such the Mexican driver will no longer play second fiddle to Max Verstappen. Alain continued, “Sergio Perez, now settled in the team, is discovering that he can win and is no longer willing to compromise to stay.” Perez was visibly unhappy after the Saudi Arabian GP when Verstappen clinched the fastest lap at the end of the race.
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“Next few weeks will be crucial,” Alain Prost on Red Bull dealing with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
The former world champion spoke about how Red Bull must take steps in the right direction in the upcoming rounds. The teammate rivalry between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will influence the team’s performance. He said, “Even if Red Bull’s domination continues, the next few weeks will be crucial for the reigning world champions.”
Lastly, Prost acknowledged that if Christian Horner’s team cannot maintain peace between the two drivers. Things might take a turn for the worse at the Milton Keynes team. Alain concluded, “It’s clear that anything can quickly throw a spanner in the works and that, even at the top, a crisis is never far away.” Presently, Max Verstappen seems to have the upper hand in this battle.
Thus, Alain Prost has declared that Red Bull’s earlier culture of focusing on Max Verstappen might not work this season as Perez is aiming to fight for his maiden world title this season. Team boss Christian Horner had previously stated that both drivers would get an equal shot at the title. It will depend on Verstappen and Perez to compete against each other to see who comes out on top.
In case you missed it:
- F1 Australian GP: “We survived everything,” Max Verstappen asserts Red Bull dominance with maiden Melbourne win
- F1 Australian GP: Why was Max Verstappen not penalized for the second restart?
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Armaan Agarwal
(2357 Articles Published)