Sergio Perez explains the reason for the BIG gap between him and Max Verstappen

Perez remains determined to make a strong comeback and secure the podium position that slipped away from him in the previous weekend.e

Sergio Perez explains the reason for the BIG gap between him and Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Via IMAGO)

Sergio Perez has openly admitted that he struggled to adapt swiftly to the updates made to Red Bull’s RB19. He attributes this as the reason for the significant performance gap between himself and his teammate, Max Verstappen. Nonetheless, Perez anticipates improvements and believes he will achieve better results in upcoming Grand Prix races.

Sergio Perez’s current Formula 1 season trajectory resembles the previous year. Back then, he thought the RB18’s development favored his teammate’s driving style more. Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at the legendary Monza track on Sunday, Perez candidly concedes that he failed to adapt adequately to the upgrades on the 2023 challenger.

“I think every driver in their career experiences that you get upgrades that just suit your driving style better than others.….. I haven’t managed to adapt to it properly so far. I had to change my style a bit to make it fit the car more. That was less at the beginning of the year, then it came more naturally,” the Mexican said, as reported by Motorsports.com.

During the qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix, Max Verstappen clinched the pole position. At the same time, Sergio Perez lagged by 1.3 seconds, settling for a seventh-place start on the grid, leaving many surprised. He was able to secure just a fourth-place finish, narrowly missing the podium due to a time penalty, allowing Pierre Gasly to claim his first podium of the season.

Perez blames the poor run on his failure to react well to the circumstances at the track, which produced the massive gap to Verstappen. He said, “In Zandvoort it was especially important to react well to the circumstances…If you don’t get the hang of the conditions, you see a big gap. That’s how it works.…. I definitely went through a bad period this season. I struggled with the car I now feel that that is behind us, and we just need to get some good games.”

Discover: McLaren breaks silence on Lando Norris to Red Bull rumours 

Sergio Perez is determined to show the true pace of RB19 at Monza

Max and Sergio
Max and Sergio (credits: PlanetF1)

As the racing action transitions to the iconic Monza circuit for the Italian Grand Prix, Perez remains determined to make a strong comeback and clinch a podium finish. His unwavering commitment to success in the upcoming race is evident.

Looking back at the previous race, he expressed frustration but has now shifted his focus and determination toward the Monza event, with the clear goal of securing the podium position that slipped away from him the previous weekend.

‘’Zandvoort was incredibly frustrating for me as a race, so my focus now shifts to Monza, where the goal is to secure the podium that eluded us last weekend.… This weekend in Italy, I will be looking to control the things I can and have a successful qualifying and race…..; we have built something really special, and I want to show its true pace all weekend,” Perez shared as he looked ahead to the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

In case you missed it: