Sergio Perez has had a drastically different 2023 season from his teammate Max Verstappen. Perez came under pressure after a dismal streak of results in the middle of the season. The Mexican made up for the lack of performance in the closing stages of the year. 

Following the third-place finish in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Perez secured second in the Championship. Now, the six-time Grand Prix winner explains his goals for the final round of the F1 calendar in Abu Dhabi. Perez said he wants a repeat of the rise in form he has shown in the past two races. Further, he said that he will be trying to ensure a successful Saturday and Sunday to finish the season on a high.

We had great pace in Vegas and I’ve had two brilliant weeks of racing, Brazil and then last weekend were so fun. I want to get the most out of the car once again, and if we get it right, we should have a successful Saturday and Sunday.

Sergio Perez said ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP

Sergio Perez will be looking to continue the current form into 2024, as he looks over his shoulder at Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson. After rumors that Ricciardo would replace Perez at Red Bull, along with Christian Horner’s promise to Liam Lawson of a Red Bull or Alpha Tauri seat in 2025, Perez will be trying to stay on top of the Red Bull driver market.

Ex-F1 driver and analyst says Sergio Perez no longer “king of the streets”

Ex-Formula One driver and F1 analyst Robert Doornbos claimed that Sergio Perez no longer holds the title he has held for years now. Doornbos says Perez can not be called the “king of the streets” anymore, after exhibiting substandard defense.

While the Mexican has found some decent form in the past two races in Brazil and Las Vegas, there was one common factor in the two races that Perez may not be proud of. He was passed for a spot in the top three on the very last lap of the race, in both of the GPs. Doornbos said Perez’s inability to defend and lack of special performances on street circuits have lost him the title of “king of the streets”.

In the beginning, he was often able to deliver special performances on street circuits, because with the best car underneath you, you can easily drive a long way to the front. But the supremacy that he used to show during these kinds of races is now hard to find. 

Sergio Perez lost out to Fernando Alonso in Brazil, being passed in the first sector by the slower Aston Martin. Similarly in Las Vegas, Perez was caught napping by Charles Leclerc on an older tire, who dived down the inside to take second place, splitting the Red Bulls.

In case you missed it:

• Former F1 Grand Prix winner DRAGS Mercedes for never delivering the competitive car they had promised Lewis Hamilton
• Data from Las Vegas GP shows Lewis Hamilton’s F1 game is far from over as he made 15 overtakes during the race

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