Marko on Perez: 'Is there an alternative? No one can challenge Max'
According to Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing has a luxury problem with Sergio Perez. The Mexican's form has dipped over the last few Grand Prix weekends, increasing the pressure on the driver. Should the Austrians look for a second driver to put more pressure on Verstappen? Marko thinks there is no point while speaking to F1-Insider.com.
Perez's disappointing performance can be seen as a luxury problem, but that does not make it any less important, according to Marko. "We also take those seriously. But if you look at it simply, Perez is doing what we ask of him. He contributes to the constructors' championship, and when he is at his best, he can also win races." That is true. The six-time race winner has already won in Saudi Arabia and Baku this year. Especially on street circuits, the Red Bull driver knows how to make the most of them.
No one can challenge Verstappen
But, according to the Austrian consultant, there is little point in thinking of an alternative. "The question of whether he is good enough is not an issue for us. After all, Verstappen is only getting better, and then you have to ask yourself, 'Who is the alternative? Is there someone who can challenge Max?' I honestly don't think so." And so Marko is keeping some pressure off his Mexican 'pupil', where he has not shied away from putting pressure on Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly before.
For Sergio Perez and his large fan base, there is some hope that he will soon be able to find his form again and at least leave Fernando Alonso behind in the battle for spot two in the drivers' championship. However, the Spaniard does not, and will not, shy away from a duel with the Red Bull driver.
So many people praising Albon and Danny Ric, problem both guys were already measured and found weak, the first one can't handle the pressure the second one leave the team because he wanted to be the top dog now he is washed and lacking cofidence. Perez doesn't deserve his seat at the moment but no one wants to be with Max, not even mighty Alonso wants to drive alongside Max because he is scared about the damage to his legacy.
Checo will not be replaced this year because RB has three goals for this year. Win the driver's championship, constructors, and their first P1/P2 in WDC. Replacing Perez will not achieve their third goal and possibly the 2nd as well.
I believe the reference is next year. Because he has a contract for 2024.
If he continues his downward trajectory of his form like in the past few races, he might not even come in P2 by the end of the season.
Max would wipe the big goofy smile off his face. But so far, no one in RB has taken the fight to Max more closely than Daniel.
You meant to say that Daniel has already beaten Max 2/3 times in the same car.
Don't get me wrong, I think Daniel is a fantastic driver and as I said he fought Max closely and on occasion beat him. But if u remember the circumstances of him leaving. Max was improving and Daniel was looking 2nd best very quickly. To make things worse, he was consistently beaten by Lando. To his credit, there is no shame in being beaten by such phenomenal drivers but I can't see Daniel beating Max in the Red Bull as his teammate. But I reckon he will do a better job than Perez.
If the seat went to Daniel I would put my money on Max, but I don't see him as unbeatable if both drivers are treated equally within the team.
The problem doesn't lie solely with Perez because how is it possible that his teammate's strategy is always flawless? It reminds me of the time when Ricciardo was faster than Max but consistently faced reliability issues. If you were to place Alonso or Lewis alongside Max, you would soon have an answer to the question, "Is there someone who can challenge Max?"
We all know no one can challenge Max but at least find a co driver that can better help secure another constructors championship. This year it looks like SuperMax has to do it on his own.
No one can accept Perez's role at RBR.If RBR would want a driver who challenge Max I think that Alonso was an option.But then their golden boy would have been put in the shadow.
Put them in the same car and I've got my money on Alonso at this point. I think his experience would make the difference, and he's still fast.
? This is an even worse insult compared to being harsh. Just saying you can't expect more from him.
Where to you see the insult? "But if you look at it simply, Perez is doing what we ask of him." There's nothing but reality in that sentence. Perez is not asked to win over Verstappen. Just take anough points, so RedBull will win constructors title. Even if Perez has failed last races, RedBull has still got most points. So at the end it is like Marko says it is. Only insult is inside your head.
@cain, it can be perceived as an insult due to lowered expectations. Checo himself was talking to potentially being a WDC winner, to have Marko basically come out and say "sorry Checo, I don't think you're good enough" could certainly taken as an insult by Checo (and his fans, Mexican press, etc). I think it would be less of, or not, a slight if Checo himself were more humble about his expectations (some would say "being more realistic about his role").
These are not lowered expectations, but reality and honesty. Checo can always show that he is wrong, but not with words, but on the track.
Even toto and lewis have confessed that Max is in another league. Unless, someone has a car that is 0.2+ faster than Max, he will remain unchalleneged through the years. Soon, Max will be a legendary 3 time world champion. He is still so young..........
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