Sergio Perez sympathizes with Daniel Ricciardo: ‘I’ve been in that situation before’
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Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez
Right now, Sergio Perez is in Red Bull, in one of the best cars on the grid, with his future relatively secure and his contract running until 2024. He’s 3rd, just 5 points behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and had been a lot closer earlier, even taking his first pole position this season. His performances have improved considerably from last season, evidenced by the fact that he is only 17 points from his 2021 total.
2 years ago, however, the situation was considerably different. Racing Point seemed to him like they wanted to keep him in the team, but mid-season, Perez was hit with the conclusion that the team was moving in a different direction, and it was later announced that he and Racing Point would part ways. Perez did not expect this, and as such, he had no plan B.
Sebastian Vettel was announced as his replacement for 2021. However, 2020 was also the year when Sergio Perez posted his highest-ever championship finish – 4th, and got the first victory of his career, at the Sakhir Grand Prix, having come back from last place. After the end of the season, he was announced to replace Alex Albon at Red Bull. Daniel Ricciardo is in a similar situation as Perez was in 2020.
Sergio Perez backs Daniel Ricciardo: “I’m sure he will find the right opportunity for him”
Daniel Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the season. Where will he go? No one knows yet. Alpine and Haas are potential suitors, and Ricciardo was rather coy about being contacted by Guenther Steiner for a seat at Haas. He might just have to sit out a year as well, or perhaps he will not find one at all. This uncertainty is something Sergio Perez is familiar with, and he sympathizes with Ricciardo:
In conversation with Formula 1, he said: “I’ve been in that situation before. And sometimes, for people sitting back on the computers, on social media, it’s very easy to judge things but for us, this is our life, this is what we want to do and we still want to be in the sport.”
Sergio Perez is also very sure that Daniel Ricciardo will find what’s right for him: “But I think it’s always good to sit back sometimes, you know, and just enjoy the time. Because whatever comes next, you will be great. I mean, Daniel, he’s in a privileged position as well, the career he’s had up to now. And I’m sure he will find the right opportunity for him.”
As for Perez, Max Verstappen (and Charles Leclerc) are set to take grid penalties and will be starting from the back in the Belgian Grand Prix. This is a great opportunity for the Mexican and Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz, who will presumably battle each other for the victory, and perhaps potentially the Mercedes. As for Ricciardo’s future, the best he can do is make sure the performances are there.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)