'Perez needs to pull out all the mental tricks to beat Verstappen'

Perez must learn from Rosberg

In the 2023 F1 season, the battle for the world title seems to be between Verstappen and Perez. The Austrian team's RB19 is much stronger than competitors' cars, which has already seen the Red Bull drivers finish one and two out of five Grands Prix. This makes Verstappen the clear-cut favourite for the title, but Herbert sees a chance for Perez.

For that, the Brit refers to the duel between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2016. Hamilton had dominated his teammate for two years, but Rosberg had had enough of that. In 2016, he pulled out all the (mental) tricks to become World Champion. He succeeded, but at a high price, as the German decided to retire immediately. Herbert envisions such a scenario for the Mexican as well.

Battle with Verstappen

''A bit like Nico (Rosberg). All the little things he did during his time with Lewis. He wasn't popular within the team and his relationship with Toto I believe wasn't very good, but he got that trophy on his mantlepiece. If it's your only shot you’ll do anything to get that trophy on your mantlepiece. If you get thrown out at the end of that season that trophy is on the mantlepiece,'' the former F1 driver told Express Sport.

''We know Max has got that mentality and Lewis has that mentality and all the other drivers in the past who have won world championships. Now it's seeing if Sergio wants to do the same thing. It's a risk that you may lose that seat, the best seat in Formula One at the present time. But to win a world championship? I’d go for it.''

Perez himself has not hidden his ambitions in previous interviews either. With the RB19, he too wants to become champion, and Christian Horner and Helmut Marko emphasise on behalf of Red Bull that the drivers also get equal opportunities. The question is whether Perez, with an equal chance, is able to beat Verstappen over a full season. So far, he has failed to do so.