Toto Wolff cannot believe the ‘huge’ performance gap between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez 

Toto Wolff is taken aback by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s gap in performances following Dutch GP qualifying.

Toto Wolff cannot believe the ‘huge’ performance gap between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez 

Toto Wolff, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Via Imago)

The 2023 Dutch Grand Prix qualifying round was filled with drama and excitement as Max Verstappen went on to conquer Zandvoort yet again. The Dutchman went on to ear yet another pole position during his home race weekend contributing to his ongoing streak. This is Max’s 8th pole position in the last 13 races . Meanwhile, Sergio Perez’s luck hasn’t been the same when it comes to qualifying. 

The Mexican driver was only able to finish 7th in Saturday’s dramatic session. What seemed astonishing was the 1.3 second gap between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Having the same car, a gap as big as this doesn’t really make much sense. Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff also went on to describe the gap between the Red Bull duo as Odd and Bizarre. 

In an interview, here is what he had to say about the situation at hand. “Checo is not an idiot. We have seen it over these years, Checo is a Grand Prix winner and multiple Grand Prix winner and he was at Racing Point. So I cannot comprehend,” Wolff stated. “I mean, we’ve seen that Max has destroyed everything that he made that was with him, whether it’s his ability to create a car around himself that is just very tricky to control but fast if you can and that makes those gaps, creates those gaps.” he said. 

Related: Helmut Marko asks Sergio Perez to ‘forget the World Championship dream’ amidst uncertainty over the Mexican’s Red Bull future

Max Verstappen is close to equalling Sebastian Vettel’s record with Red Bull

Max Versrappen, Red Bull (via : Twitter)
Max Versrappen, Red Bull (via : Twitter)

Sebastian Vettel won 9 consecutive races in a season with Red Bull back in 2013 during his era of dominance. It seems like Max Verstappen is etching closer to matching that record. As of the 2023 Belgian GP, Max has won 8 races in a row and it doesn’t seem like he’s going to stop anytime soon. In total, the Dutchman has already won 10 races in this season. After grabbing pole position on Saturday. A win on sunday at his home race would equal the record. 

Toto Wolff thinks that Sergio Perez doesn’t have the level of confidence that Max Verstappen has in the car. Max has had a long history of destroying teammates in the same machinery, with Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly being the recent ones to get a taste. For the 2023 Dutch GP, hopes and expectations are high as Max will be able to equal Seb’s record at his home race in Zandvoort. A lot is on the line for the Dutchman. 

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