Sergio Perez: Red Bull no longer centers completely around Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez is confident that he will get an equal shot for the 2023 F1 championship alongside Max Verstappen.


Sergio Perez: Red Bull no longer centers completely around Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen

Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen will be head-to-head in the 2023 F1 season. Red Bull Racing has set the benchmark in the sport for this year as the Austrian team dominated the first two races of the season. Rumors began circulating about Verstappen getting preferential treatment. However, Perez has come out and stated that he had become a stable part of the team as well.

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The Mexican driver highlighted that when he first joined Red Bull, the team was centered only around Verstappen. Sergio Perez said, “I fully believe [that]. Certainly, when I came to the team, things were very different. Basically, they were just going racing with two cars because they had to.” As the team looked for a suitable teammate who could match the Dutchman before Checo was signed for 2021.

Tensions have risen between the two Red Bull drivers recently

The 33-year-old claimed that he had made his way to becoming a respected part of Red Bull Racing. Something that the Mexican driver appreciates. Sergio Perez explained, “I can say now that I really feel part of the team. I really feel like I have my place, and I am well respected. And I think that’s something good to have as a driver.”

Sergio Perez was confident that he will have the same shot at the 2023 F1 world title as Max Verstappen. As the two fight against each other for the number one spot. He stated, “I really believe that I have the full support of the team as much as Max does and that I will have every opportunity to win the championship as much as Max.”

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Sergio Perez is happy with the RB-19 development direction so far

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Perez won the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP

The Mexican driver acknowledged that the team’s development in 2022 favored his teammate. This led to Sergio Perez losing out on the Dutchman over the course of the season. Checo continued, “Certainly, last year, when we started developing the car, or basically when we put the car on a diet, basically that suited more Max, and the gap just widened up.”

However, for 2023, both the Red Bull drivers appear to be leaning toward the same direction for the RB-19. The 33-year-old considers this a positive sign so far. Sergio Perez concluded, “In these first races, we’ve been very, very close together on balance and asking for a similar sort of balance. So, in that regard, it’s a good thing for now.” Team Principal Christian Horner has already dismissed concerns over Verstappen getting preferential treatment in the team.

Thus, Sergio Perez believes that he and Max Verstappen will have an equal shot at the 2023 world title. The Mexican driver has become an integral part of Red Bull. Subsequently, Perez will not hold back in his bid to win the F1 world championship. Although, it remains to be seen whether the 33-year-old can actually challenge Verstappen over the course of the season.

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