Sergio Perez gears up for a comeback, set to showcase ‘World Champion’ performance in Qatar

Sergio Perez has scored only 34 points since summer break, whereas his teammate, ax Verstappen has won 3 races.

Sergio Perez and Helmut Marko (via IMAGO)

As the F1 circus rolls into Qatar, the Lusail International Circuit awaits its second Grand Prix, and Red Bull revels in the glory of their sixth Constructors’ Championship secured at Suzuka. Max Verstappen stands on the brink of his third title, but the spotlight also falls on his teammate, Sergio Perez, who has been off his form lately and is determined to bounce back at the Qatar GP.

The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix gives Perez a chance for redemption, and he’s not shying away from the challenge. This determination stems from Perez’s recent struggles, notably in Suzuka, where a series of on-track incidents led to a premature retirement. The Mexican driver, who last tasted victory in April, eyes the Qatar GP as an opportunity to break his podium drought, aiming to rectify his recent lackluster performances.

Speaking to the media and GP Blog ahead of the Qatar GP, Perez exudes confidence and is in high spirits to bounce back. “Qatar is a chance to get back to racing for me with two opportunities to win across the weekend,” asserts Perez, emphasizing the Sprint format’s nuances and the team’s commitment to preparing for Friday night’s qualifying.

FS Video

Despite the recent challenges, he expresses confidence in showcasing a World Champion-level performance, aligning his personal goals with the team’s recent triumph. The Mexican said, “We are coming into this race as World Champions, and for me personally, I would like to show that out on track.”

Discover: Max Verstappen reveals the one key personality trait that helps him to thrive in F1

Sergio Perez predicts that Qatar will be the hottest race of the season

Acknowledging the tricky nature of the Qatar track, Perez highlights the impact of sand on grip—a factor demanding heightened alertness. The last Qatar GP witnessed Lewis Hamilton‘s triumph in a race marked by serious tire wear and punctures. Perez failed to hunt down Fernando Alonso for the podium and settled for fourth.

The Lusail Circuit will be illuminated under floodlights, hosting a night race—a preference in the scorching Middle Eastern heat. With the temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius, Perez anticipates this might be the hottest event of the season. He remarks, “A night race is always fun though and this might be the hottest event we have all season, so it will involve a lot of management across all three days to get the most out of the car.”

Perez is much closer to Hamilton in third than Max in first. The Dutchman could be the first in history to clinch the world title on a Saturday owing to the Sprint Format. Perez has to win the race and hope his teammate finishes out of points if he wishes to keep the fight alive for another and to defend from Hamilton, who is closing in on him at the rate of knots.